Webster sets early pace

England’s Shaun Webster made a purposeful opening to his bid for a European Tour card as he set the early pace in the first round of the qualifying school final at San Roque.

The 28-year-old former English amateur champion overcame a testing wind to cover his first nine holes over the Old course in four under par.

Webster, a winner on the European Challenge Tour in 2000, produced a rousing start with consecutive birdies on the first four holes.

Despite a bogey four at the short seventh he countered that slip with another birdie at the par five ninth to reach the turn in 32.

Sweden’s Patrik Sjoland, a two-time winner on the tour, was three under after six holes alongside compatriot Alexander Noren.

Ryder Cup vice-captain Peter Baker endured a turbulent opening to his round as he spilled four shots on his opening three holes over the New course.

The 38-year-old, back at the school after finishing 160th on the order of merit this season, ran up a double bogey six at the first and another at the second.

Former European Tour winner Raymond Russell also made a wretched start to his campaign as he slipped to four over after six holes.

Ireland’s Philip Walton was one over after six while Roger Chapman, Brazilian Open winner in 2000, was four over after nine.

Johan Axgren suffered the most disastrous start of the day as he slumped to a nine at his first hole on the New course, the par four 10th.

The Swede followed that up with a double-bogey seven at the 11th.

Later Eamonn Brady was best placed of the Irish at three over, Walton slipped back to four over, John Kelly was at six over and Colm Moriarty propped up the Irish field at seven over.