Former Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson, nine times a runner-up on the European Tour without ever winning, has given himself another chance to change that.
With all the circuit's current stars over in America, Wilson shot a six-under-par 66 today to be in joint second place after the opening round of the Madeira Islands Open.
Spaniard Alvaro Velasco leads after a 64 containing seven birdies in the last 12 holes.
Among those alongside Wilson is compatriot Tommy Fleetwood, the 21-year-old who won last season's Challenge Tour and who at 192nd in the world is the highest-ranked player in the field.
Also in with 66s were Swedes Joakim Lagergren and Magnus Carlsson and Dane Morten Orum Madsen.
Ben Parker made it a six-way tie for second, but Velasco took the first-day honours.
The 30-year-old won the 2010 Challenge Tour, but lost his card on the main circuit last year.
"I was consistent all day and putted very well," Velasco told the European Tour website. "If you hit it in the right spots the course is quite easy, but if you're in the wrong place it's easy to get in trouble.
"I can't remember the last time I made such a good start to a tournament."
Ireland's Colm Moriarty is a shot further back on five-under after his round of 67.
The Dubliner recovered from an opening hole bogey with two birdies to go in at the turn on one-under.
Another bogey on the tenth brought him back to level par but he finished brilliantly, claiming five birdies on the last eight holes to leave him well positioned going into the second day.
