VILAMOURA, Portugal (AP) — Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium shot a brilliant 11-under 60 to take a three-shot lead of the Portugal Masters in the opening round on Thursday.
Colsaerts came close to setting a European Tour record of 59 when his birdie putt missed on the par-4 18th hole.
“I thought it was going to be slightly left to right at the end and it kind of went straight and basically just left it hanging,” Colsaerts said. “Too bad, it was a pretty good effort.”
Colsaerts made eagles on the 15th and 17th after hitting seven birdies through a near flawless first day at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Club.
“When I made eagle on 15, I knew then that if I birdied the last three, that would have been 59,” Colsaerts said. “So I parred 16 and then, walking down the fairway on 17, I said to my caddie after I hit a good drive, ‘It’s 59 or nothing.’ It’s too bad it (the putt) just shaved the edge.”
It was the 19th time the score of 60 has been reached on the European Tour.
Scott Jamieson and Alexander Levy were both three strokes behind in joint second.
Rafa Cabrera-Bello was four strokes back, followed by a group of four one more shot behind.
The round was suspended late due to rain. It will be finished early Friday.
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