Molinari leads Portugal Masters

VILAMOURA, Portugal, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Italy's Francesco Molinari shot 9-under-par 63 Thursday and holds a two-stroke lead after the first round of the European Tour's Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.

It is the first time in Molinari's five-year career he has topped the leader board after the first 18 holes, and the 63 equaled his career-low round.

He started a bogey-free round with three birdies and an eagle in the first five holes.

"It was a really good round, and my putting was really good," he said. "The game was quite solid, but my putting today was a bit more than normal."

At 7-under 65, Justin Rose, Alastair Forsyth and Charl Schwartzel all share second place.

Defending champion Alvaro Quiros of Spain opened with a 4-under 68, and is one of 17 golfers tied for 17th place.