James Morrison, who won his second DP World Tour title at the Open de España in 2015, closed with an 8-under 64 featuring an eagle at the par-5 6th and five birdies over the next six holes to take the lead at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.
Strong winds in the afternoon made things difficult for players and the Englishman bogeyed the par-4 15th but immediately recovered with a birdie.
“I’m very happy. I knew the draw was going to be that way and we got more holes in this morning with no wind than we actually thought we were going to get in, so we had to make hay while the sun was shining and I did that.
“Spain’s been very, very good to me over the last 14 years.
“I love coming here, it suits my eye, most courses inherently aren’t as long as we play on Tour so they’re more positional sort of golf courses.”
Germany’s Nick Bachem lies one shot back after carding an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys in his 65.
Spain’s Adrian Otaegui closed with a bogey-free 66 to start his title defence.
England’s Daniel Gavins and the Netherland’s Wil Besseling are tied in fourth place at 5-under.
