Vitor Lopes admits he is a man on a mission as he recorded his lowest ever European Tour round to take a two-shot lead at the end of day one of the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos.
The 24-year-old typically plies his trade on the Alps Tour, but took up national spots at the Portugal Masters last week and here at Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort. The decision looks to have paid off as he took advantage of the calmer afternoon conditions to card a seven-under-par round of 65 and take the lead in a European Tour event for the first time.
Damien Perrier of France overcame a neck injury to record a five-under-par round of 67, joining Carlos Pigem in a tie for second place, after the Spaniard battled the worst of the morning wind and rain to emerge as the best of the early finishers in the dual ranking event with the European Challenge Tour.
Another home favorite in Ricardo Santos is a shot further back at four under par alongside American Julian Suri – who was runner up the last time he played this event in 2017 – Alexander Knappe of Germany and South Africa’s Garrick Higgo.
European Tour Release, Sep 18, 2020
