Jeev Milkha Singh makes modest start in Portugal

Vilamoura: Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh made a modest start to his campaign at the Portugal Masters with a two-under 69 that put him in tied 40th place here.

The Chandigarh-golfer had three birdies and they came on successive holes from ninth to 11th and he had one bogey on the third.

Jeev is currently 146th and needs to finish in Top-115 to keep his European Tour card for 2016.

Andy Sullivan defied the descending gloom to join Nicolas Colsaerts in a share of the lead on seven-under par on the opening day of the Portugal Masters.

Thick morning fog had led to a 55 minute delay to all tee times, but Sullivan submitted his score of 64 just before bad light stopped play shortly after 7pm.

The Englishman, who has already won twice this season, notched eight birdies and a solitary bogey at Oce nico Victoria Golf Course.

Earlier in the day, Colsaerts had exploded out of the blocks, using his prodigious length to overpower the Vilamoura venue.

But having reached the turn in 30 and added an eagle at the fifth hole, the Belgian dropped his only shot of the day at the seventh to give hope to the chasing pack.

Thomas Pieters had appeared on course to join his compatriot in a share of the lead, only for a bogey at the last to drop him back to six under par.