Molinari makes early running

Molinari: stunning 63

First-round leaderboard:
(GB & Ire unless stated)
F Molinari (Ita) -9
A Forsyth -7
J Rose -7
C Schwartzel (SA) -7

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Francesco Molinari fired a stunning opening 63 to establish a two-shot lead after the first round of the Portugal Masters.

The Italian carded eight birdies, an eagle and just a solitary bogey to head the field after a day of low-scoring at the Oceanico Victoria golf course in Vilamoura.

Molinari, who stands at nine-under-par, leads by two from South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, Alastair Forsyth of Scotland and England's Justin Rose who made a welcome return to form in his first appearance in Europe since July's Open Championship.

Six players are tied for fifth on six-under, Englishmen Lee Westwood (who shrugged off the effects of a wasp sting on his leg), Mark Foster and Simon Khan, Pablo Martin of Spain, Dane Mads Vibe-Hastrup and Welshman Bradley Bredge.

Dredge had the opportunity to join Molinari at the top of the leaderboard having reached eight-under through 17 holes, but finished on a sour note with a double-bogey at the last.

Retief Goosen and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie made solid starts with opening rounds of 68, while Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy is one stroke behind them on three-under after a 69.

It could and perhaps should have been better for the Northern Irish starlet who got off to a flyer having birdied four of his first five holes.

But he could not capitalise on that fast start, a bogey at seven followed and, while he hit back with a birdie at 12, he dropped further shots at 14 and 16.

But he repaired some of the damage by sinking from eight feet for birdie at 18 and will still be confident of contending.

However, to do so he will have to close the gap on Molinari who equalled his best-ever score on the European Tour with his splendid 63.

Dream start

Like McIlroy he made a dream start, the Italian birdying the first and then following an eagle at the third with further birdies at four and five to reach five-under through five.

His only blemish of the day arrived at the par-four seventh where he could do no better than a bogey-five, but he bounced back with five further birdies on the back nine at 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17.

Two back of the leader, Rose was particularly pleased with his efforts given the uncertainty that surrounds his European Tour future.

Slump

With only one top-10 finish since he was runner-up to McIlroy in Dubai in February, the 2007 Order of Merit champion has slumped to 58th on the money list and, of more immediate concern to him, down to 62nd on the world rankings.

Being outside the top 50 means he could miss out on majors and world championships next season which will in turn will make it harder for him to remain a member of both the American and European circuits.

That will certainly be the case if more stringent membership rules are adopted by the European Tour with Rose now having set up base In Florida.

Asked if he would try to tailor his schedule to ensure he could remain a European Tour member, he stated: "I really want to and the Ryder Cup next year is a big drawcard.

"But at the end of the day I've got to do what's good for me and my family. Florida is my base - I can't say on my heart it's home, but from a practical point of view that's where home is.

"Dropping out of the top 50 puts me in a precarious position and my goal is to get back in it. Then I can play the schedule I want to."

Rose is certain to awaiting the outcome of Thursday night's players committee meeting with some trepidation as the idea of enforcing stricter membership rules will be discussed.

"It certainly doesn't make life easier and I'm not singing and dancing about it," he added. "But it's important to the tour and I'll have to knuckle down."

Padraig Harrington, who earlier made his views on such a move clear, started his campaign in Portugal with a steady 69 to end up alongside the likes of McIlroy and last week's Madrid Masters winner Ross McGowan.