Unheralded Englishman Luke Goddard birdied his last four holes Thursday to snatch a share of the first-round lead of the Estoril Portugal Open with Irishman Damien McGrane.
McGrane, the world No. 220, carded a bogey-free round and picked up eight birdies -- including three in a row between the 11th and 13th -- to take the clubhouse lead.
Then Goddard, ranked 1349th in the world, picked up shots at the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth to join him on 8-under 64. Goddard had earlier picked up four strokes on the back nine, with two birdies and an eagle two at the 11th at the Penha Longa Golf Club.
Denmark's Eirik Tage Johansen and Wales' Stuart Manley were one shot back after shooting 65s, with Johansen collecting seven birdies and a bogey. Manley enjoyed a more mixed round, with five birdies and eagles at the sixth and 12th marred by a pair of bogeys.
Another English representative, Richard Bland, was two back for a share of fifth with Andrew Tampion, but Chris Wood -- the highest-ranked player in the field at 81st -- was part of an 11-man tie for 23rd, having signed for 69.
McGrane and Goddard wondered if they had equaled the record or set a new one for the holiday resort course of Penha Longa.
Philip Price of Wales shot a 64 at Penha Longa in 1994. However, par then was 71. In recent years, the course has been lengthened to 6,903 yards and par increased to 72.
McGrane missed chances to end the record debate. Along with his eight birdies, he missed close-range opportunities with his putter on the 10th, 17th and 18th greens. A 63 would have tied lowest score in 14 years.
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