Haeggman, McGrane tied at Portugal golf

PORTO SANTO, Portugal, March 19 (UPI) -- Joakim Haeggman and Damien McGrane shot 5-under-par 66 Thursday and share a two-stroke lead after one round at the European Tour's Madeira Islands Open.

The event is being played at the Porto Santo Golfe Club in Porto Santo, Portugal.

Haeggman, a three-time European Tour tournament winner, set the early pace with nine consecutive pars followed by birdies at five of his first six holes on the back nine, including four in a row between the 12th and 15th holes.

"Overall, it was very steady," the native of Kalmar, Sweden said. "We all work hard at the game, but it's nice to be able to bring it out here on the golf course and make a great start to the tournament."

McGrane birdied his first three holes, but later, two bogeys prevented him from taking the overnight lead.

At 3-under 68, Andrew Butterfield, Estanislao Goya and Carl Suneson are tied for third place and seven others are 2-under 69.