Pablo Martin is at it again at the Estoril Open de Portugal. Last year he made history at Oitavos Dunes as the first amateur to win on The European Tour. As he began his title defence he set a new course record to share the lead.
His eight under par 63, beating the old course record of 65, was later matched by Frenchman Grégory Bourdy, but it was Martin who stole the show on his return to the scene of his famous victory 12 months ago.
The 21 year old from Malaga reproduced the kind of fearless golf that saw him crowned champion here last year, putting together a flawless display of eight birdies and ten pars to assert himself at the top of the leaderboard, with Bourdy joining him in first place and a host of quality players in hot pursuit at the end of a beautiful, sunny day on Portugal’s Estoril coast.
“It’s good to start the tournament this way,” said Martin. “I just love this place. It is just a beautiful place and I think it’s a great place to be around. I can speak Spanish with everyone around here and I just feel comfortable here. I think the golf course is a great track as well.”
Martin brought his first round to a quite stunning conclusion, arrowing a sublime seven iron from 183 yards to a matter of inches to set up a tap-in birdie on the 18th green.
“It was a good shot – seven iron from 183 yards,” Martin continued. “It was a good shot but it’s the first day and there is still a long way to go.
“I am very focused on doing well this week. I wasn’t sloppy or anything and it’s nice to try and defend a title – it gives you extra motivation and makes you care a little bit more about the week.”
Bourdy was also delighted with his opening effort that matched Martin’s bogey free round. The Frenchman, like Martin, is a class act when in top form and he has put himself in a fantastic position to repeat his Mallorca Classic success at the end of last season.
“I didn’t even know about the course record until I signed the card so it’s always nice to hear that at the end of your round,” said the Frenchman.
“Eight under was a great score, it was a perfect day and my driving was starting to come back which was very important for me. I am really happy.”
Other players who can be satisfied with their first round efforts are the Spanish duo of Gonzalo Fernandez- Castaño and José Manuel Lara, who joined former Open de Portugal champion Michael Jonzon of Sweden in a tie for third place on seven under par after rounds of 64.
Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth, winner of the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal title a fortnight ago, continued his fine Portuguese form with a six under par 65 to join Frenchman François Delamontagne, England’s Simon Khan and the South African duo of James Kamte and Charl Schwartzel in sixth place.
Also right in contention are Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke and David Howell, who are continuing to get their careers back on track.
Howell joined last week’s champion, Frenchman Thomas Levet, among others on four under par, while Clarke is part of a 13 way tie on three under.
The day, however, belonged to Bourdy and, of course Martin, who once more lit up the Estoril coast with some wonderful golf as he began his title defence in quite stunning fashion.
