Hoey on song in Portugal

Former British amateur champion Michael Hoey birdied four of his first six holes to take over the lead in the Madeira Island Open BPI-Portugal on Porto Santo today.

The Irish 30-year-old, who came through the European Tour qualifying school at the sixth attempt last year, stood six-under-par and one ahead of overnight pacesetters Damien McGrane and Joakim Haeggman.

The Swede, trying to re-ignite his career after twice being forced back to Tour school, was among the day’s later starters, while McGrane, winner of last year’s China Open and one of the tournament favourites, resumed with four successive pars.

As an amateur, Hoey finished 11th in the 2001 Scottish Open and he was a teammate of Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Nick Dougherty in the Walker Cup victory in America later that year.

He turned professional after playing in the 2002 Masters, was a Challenge Tour graduate in 2005, but lost his card immediately – and that 11th place at Loch Lomond eight years ago remains his best finish on the main circuit.