Dubai: Jordan Smith of England leads with a nine under par 62 after round one of the $2 million Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, Portugal.
Smith, 29-year-old, currently stands in 14th place in the season long DP World Rankings and a win this week would take him into the top-10 in ninth place. Smith has had a fine season with seven top tens and has won once in his career, the 2017 Porsche European Open.
In tied second on eight under par are Joost Luiten (Ned) and Jeff Wither (Den) with a few players still on the course completing their rounds.
Last week’s winner in Mallorca, Yannik Paul of Germany lies on five under.
This is the season-ending tournament that either creates good news or bad news for those trying to retain their cards and playing privileges for the 2023 DP World Tour.
Those in and around the magic mark of 117 to retain their card, include Daan Huizing (Netherlands, 111th) 69, Aaron Cockerill (Canada, 112th) 68, Espen Kofstad (115th) 71, Jazz Janewattanond (Thailand, 116th) 70, Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez (Spain, 117th) 71, Darius van Driel (Netherlands, 118th) 66, Ricardo Gouveia (Portugal, 120th) 66, Francesco Laporta (Italy, 121st) 72, Renato Paratore (Italy, 122nd), 72, and Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (Spain, 123rd), 67.
The second round on Friday sees the field closely bunched with 87 players under par.
