VILAMOURA, Portugal (AP) Alviro Quiros' knowhow of his home course was of little advantage as six others tied the 2008 champion for the lead after the first round of the Portugal Masters on Thursday.
All seven scored 6-under 65, four of them finishing their rounds with birdies on theirlast holes at Oceanico Victoria Golf Course.
Nine other players shot 66. In all, 68 players, more than half of the field, went under par in ideal conditions.
Jamie Donaldson of Wales had the lead at 7 under until he bogeyed the 8th, his 17th hole.
Quiros, 2 over after five holes, shot 29 on the front nine after making the turn, and the Spaniard birdied his last hole along with Simon Thornton of Ireland, Max Kieffer of Germany and Graeme Storm of England.
Kieffer's bogey-free round included an eagle on the par-5 12th, his third hole.
Also sharing the lead were Felipe Aguilar of Chile, who had six birdies on the back nine, and David Lynn of England, who finished his round with two birdies.
Defending champion Shane Lowry of Ireland was at 1 under.
