Kingston leads Portugal Masters after nine-birdie 64, Kaymer three back

James Kingston shot an 8-under 64 Thursday to take a one-shot lead over five players after the opening round of the Portugal Masters on the European Tour.

The South African made nine birdies -- six on the back nine -- and just one bogey at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course.

“It was a really nice round of golf. I played really steadily, gave myself so many chances, and it was enjoyable,” Kingston said. “I put the ball in play most of the day, gave myself some really good approach shots into the greens and hit some really good pitch shots.”

Danish Ryder Cup player Thomas Bjorn, Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin, Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger, England’s Simon Khan and Wales’ Rhys Davies were at 7 under.

“I played nicely early on and rolled in a few good putts,” Bjorn said. “It got a bit scruffy towards the end.”

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland shot a 67 and was among a large group of players at 5 under that included Germany’s Martin Kaymer, the highest ranked player in the tournament at No. 6.

A total of 30 players were within three shots of the lead after the opening round, and it was a good day for British and Irish golfers as the day ended with 13, including Harrington and Colin Montgomerie in that group within three of the lead.

Kingston picked up a shot on the fourth, but it was a run of five birdies from the eight that formed the backbone of his round.

"It was a really nice round of golf. I played really steadily, gave myself so many chances, and it was enjoyable," he said. "I put the ball in play most of the day, gave myself some really good approach shots into the greens and hit some really good pitch shots."

There was little to indicate what was in store from an opening seven holes for which he was just 1 under.

"I felt I could have done a little better earlier in the round, then all of a sudden I made one or two and my tail got in the air," he added. "I hit some really good iron shots pretty close -- five in a row, which is nice, and then another few coming in."

Starting at the 10th, Khan appeared to have undone much of his good work as bogeys at the 16th and 18th saw him turn at 1 under. But he was faultless from there on in with four further birdies and an eagle at the par-5 fourth.

Davies claimed an eagle of his own at the par-5 17th.

Maybin will look to continue the increasingly impressive form of Northern Irish golfers over the rest of the weekend.

"Obviously there's a boom at the minute especially with Michael [Hoey] getting a great win at the Dunhill," he said. "Someone tells me it's the Guinness, but it's a good crop of players and they're shining at the minute."