David Howell, winner of the Dubai Desert Classic last month, moved into a four-way tie for the lead in the weather-delayed Madeira Island Open at Santo da Serra.
The first round, which was held up by rain and low cloud on Thursday, was finally completed by lunchtime on Friday. Ross Drummond, Van Phillips and Christopher Hanell had recorded their scores of 68, four under par, 24 hours before Howell came in with his card to share the lead.
Howell, current leader of the Volvo Order of Merit thanks to his first European Tour victory at Dubai Creek, picked up five birdies in his round but missed a chance to take the outright lead by bogeying the last from four and a half feet.
However his card was otherwise error-free and Howell admitted he had tried to stay calm through all the delays, which meant he teed off at 13.00 hours one day and finished at 11.35 the next.
He said: "Everybody is pretty relaxed about the situation. There is nothing we can do about it. I played very well today but it was frustrating to bogey the last."
John Bickerton, fifth in the Volvo Order of Merit after graduating through the Challenge Tour,is tucked in quietly behind the four leaders after a bogey-free 69.
Bickerton, who lost a play-off to Phillips for the Algarve Portugese Open, also felt cool in the face of the long delays. He said: "You have to laugh and not get too serious about the delays. The course is so tricky that if you get upset it only makes things worse."
Ross Drummond from Prestwick, who regained his card by finishing in No.1 position at the Qualifying School last year, led the procession on 68, four under par, yesterday after play had been suspended for an hour and 45 minutes.
The tall Scot was then joined on that score by Phillips and Challenge Tour graduate Hanell of Sweden.
Drummond, 42, who had spent 20 unbroken seasons on Tour before losing his card in 1996, tied for 14th over the course high in the Madeira mountains last year.
He again showed his liking for the scenic, undulating course with five birdies and one bogey to move into a three-way tie at the top.
Drummond decided not to open his 1999 campaign until Portugal three weeks ago and said: "I made that commitment because I couldn’t get into Dubai. You live by your decisions. Maybe I was taking a chance by leaving it so late but I still think I will get about 20 starts."
After winning the six-round marathon known as the Qualifying School, Drummond is imbued with fresh confidence for the new season ahead. He added: "Since coming back on Tour some of the players have congratulated me on going back to the School and producing a performance out of the top drawer."
Phillips, from Maidenhead, claimed his first European Tour victory by landing the Algarve Portuguese Open. Now he is chasing a Portuguese double on Madeira, and he made a sound start with a near flawless round.
His only error was a three putt at the fifth as the rain teemed down and he misjudged the pace of the green. Otherwise, it was impressive stuff as Phillips, starting at the 10th, eagled the 11th from eight feet and birdied the 17th and 18th from 20 feet and 35 feet.
Another birdie at the third completed his sub-par scoring and he admitted that winning had given him a taste for the Ryder Cup. He commented: "It’s everyone’s ambition to play in the Ryder Cup and it’s not impossible for me if I win again or finish high in the big events.
"There is definitely a period of change in the Ryder Cup."
Hanell, 25, made four birdies and his card didn’t contain a single mistake as he joined the leading group on 68. Currently 26th on the Volvo Order of Merit after coming off the Challenge Tour, Hanell doesn’t lack confidence.
"I think my game is good enough to finish in the top 15 on the Volvo Order of Merit. I also think I can win a tournament in my first year on Tour. That might sound a bit cocky but that’s the way I feel."
Breathing down the necks of the leading group on 69 were several players including Thomas Gogele of Germany, Roger Winchester from England, Swede Freddie Lindgren, Andrew McLardy of South Africa and Englishman Paul Eales.
At the end of the first day play was once again suspended, this time due to fog, with 72 of the 150 players having to complete their rounds today.
