Golf: Forsyth makes great start in Portugal

Apr 3 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

GOLFER Alastair Forsyth yesterday made a brilliant start to his Portuguese Open title bid in Estoril.

The European Tour star carded a sensational four-under-par score of 67 to stay within three shots of early pacesetter Ross McGowan, of England, who carded a seven-under round of 64.

Talented Buddie Forsyth started the tournament in the best possible fashion when he birdied the 581-yard eighth hole before further birdies at the 11th and 13th helped him to reach three-under.

Forsyth dropped a shot with a bogey at the 18th hole but he recovered to birdie the first and the fourth on the way home.

Another bogey at the fifth left him back on three-under but he remains well placed going into today’s second round.

Forsyth, 33, seems to enjoy the sun-kissed fairways in Portugal.

He won his second European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open BPI in March last year.