Friday 12 October 2012 07:45, UK
England's Ross Fisher and Stephen Gallacher of Scotland lead the Portugal Masters after carding opening rounds of 65 at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura.
Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, the two front-runners for Olazabal's job, had differing fortunes - Clarke finished with an eight-iron into the ninth hole for an eagle two and a 70, but McGinley withdrew before the start with a bad back. "It's been a tough season, but it's nice to see my hard work pay off and if that Ryder Cup win (at Medinah) doesn't inspire you then nothing will," Fisher stated afterwards. "It was weird - I was more nervous watching on the sofa than I was playing at Celtic Manor." Gallacher admitted conditions had been good for scoring, adding: "There's not much roughs and the greens are unbelievably good, but when the wind got up it was pretty tough."