Pettersson opens four shot lead

A fine 66 from Carl Pettersson has given him control of the first day of the Algarve Open in Portugal.

The Swede fired seven birdies in his splendid round and he currently leads by four strokes on six-under par.

Among a number of players in second place are the Englishmen David Gilford and Gary Evans.

Four birdies on the first seven holes paved the way for Pettersson, with his only blemish a bogey on the third.

A birdie on the short 11th took the Swede to four-under par, and he delivered the perfect finish with birdies at the final two holes.

Gilford’s round of 70 was satisfactory, but it could have been better but for two dropped shots on the back nine.

Evans also finished with a 70 in the helpful conditions, and will be confident of a good tournament.

The Welshman Bradley Dredge and Finland’s Mikko Ilonen are also safely in the clubhouse after rounds of 70.

Welshman Philip Price and Englishman Stuart Price are both on the two-under par mark, and are both still out on the course.

Elsewhere amongst the players on the course capable of putting pressure on Pettersson are the Irishman Philip Walton and Justin Rose, on one-under par and level par respectively.

Play ended for the day with the first round not yet completed.

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