Piece of cake for Price

Phillip Price showed glimpses of his best form in the first round of the Madeira Island Open.

The former Ryder Cup star made a brilliant start in difficult conditions. With a gusty wind blowing around the hilltop Santo da Serra course, Price birdied the 10th, 11th and 12th holes as he started on the back nine, earning him generous applause from the small gallery of spectators.

Price picked up another shot at the 14th to move to four under and top of the leaderboard.

However, he bogeyed the 17th to move back to three under, alongside Gary Emerson and Jean van de Velde.

Van de Velde picked up shots at the 12th, 14th and 15th holes while Emerson also began brightly with birdies at the 10th, 15th and 18th holes.

Pedro Linhart moved briefly into contention after making light of the par-four 12th by chalking up a superb eagle.

The Spaniard, who started at the 10th, then fell away with bogeys at the 16th and 18th.