David Close Leaps To Four Shot Lead - 23/07/2008

The Algarve Swing leg of the PGA Europro Tour teed off today in glorious sunshine at the stunning Quinta de Cima course at the Quinta da Ria resort.

David Close, from Yorkshire, played a phenomenal round, notching up nine birdies to finish with a nine under par score of 63. David reached the turn with a solid three under par score of 33, then started back with five consecutive birdies, adding one more at the difficult 18th for a course record and a four shot lead going into the second round.

Welshman Kyron Sullivan lies in second place after shooting a fantastic five under par score of 67. This is not the first time that Kyron has performed well in Portugal, as in 2001 he was a Portuguese Amateur Finalist. He was also the winner of the PGA Europro Tour event at Dale Hill last year, and will be looking to repeat these successes this week.

Vilamoura amateur Ricardo Santos was flying the flag for Portugal, and the long-hitting youngster played an impressive first round, recording six birdies and just two bogeys to finish four under for the day. Fellow countryman Antonio Sobrinho also performed well, recording a two under par score of 70 in the first round, and both players will be looking to build on their success in subsequent rounds.

Santos was joined in third place by Phil Kenyon and Scots Gordon Sherry and Graham Rankin, who also recorded four under par scores of 68 after playing good solid golf.

For full results, visit the Quinta da Ria Tournament under the Tournaments section