Begay in early contention in Madeira

Four times a winner on the US Tour, American Notah Begay knows he might never have a better chance to win on the European Tour than this weekend in Madeira.

Begay, who lost his card in the States after suffering back problems, came through Europe’s qualifying school in November and is one behind Portugal’s little-known Ricardo Santos after an opening 67 at Santo da Serra.

Nearly all of Europe’s big names are away in Florida at the CA World Championship and a look at the leaderboard underlines what an opportunity this is for Tiger Woods’ close friend.

They were college mates at Stanford University, team-mates at the 1995 Walker Cup in Wales and partners in the 2000 Presidents Cup, but their careers have gone in different directions since.

While Woods is world number one Begay is down in 798th. But he knows how to win - and that does not apply to many in Madeira.

One who does is the player alongside him in second place, former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker, but Baker lost his card three years ago, has twice failed to survive the qualifying school since and is reliant mostly on invitations now.