Portugal Masters: Hojgaard twins start well as Italy's Nino Bertasio goes deep

Nino Bertasio shot the lowest round of his European Tour career as he oblitereated the field on day one of the Portugal Masters. 

The 33-year-old Italian was simply sensational at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura as he signed for an opening round of 61. 

It saw him reach the clubhouse at 10-under on the par-71 layout, six strokes ahead a cluster of players.

Padraig Harrington has also started well (67), alongside Min Woo Lee (68), Sam Horsfield (68) and with England's Callum Shinkwin (67).

Setting up birdie number NINE of the day



What a round this is from @BertasioNino!#PortugalMasters pic.twitter.com/4BwX3NUVQZ

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 4, 2021

MORE: HAS THIS GOLFER JUST GOT THE BEST DEAL IN HISTORY?

MORE: WHY THIS BROOKS KOEPKA ADMISSION IS SURPRISING

Bertasio made four birdies on the front nine as he made the turn in 31 then turned up the heat with four consecutive birdies from 12. 

Birdies at 17 and up the last followed for the Italian who has never won on the European Tour. 

Elsewhere, Danish brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard started well and both shot rounds of four-under par. 

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre is looking to put a frustrating few months behind him and signed for a round of 70. 

At times he looked back to his best and went flag hunting:

How about that for pin seeking, @robert1lefty!#PortugalMasters pic.twitter.com/XhYmi0i0A7

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 4, 2021

South Africa's George Coetzee is the defending champion. 

MORE: TIGER WOODS TO OPEN SEVEN MORE POPSTROKE VENUES

MORE: HOW WILL THE PGA TOUR RESPOND TO SAUDI PLANS?

NEXT PAGE: GREG NORMAN DENIES WAGING A WAR