England’s Sam Bairstow signed for a 6-under 65 featuring an eagle at the par-5 4th, six birdies and two bogeys to take a share of the lead at the Open de España presented by Madrid.

“I think coming in, the focus was on getting finished because of the dark so to finish with a few birdies there was great,” said Bairstow.

“I played here for the first time last year and I loved it. The last few weeks are great for the English and the European lads because they’re all close to home, they’re all good events, so I think the Back 9’s obviously doing what it should be doing and producing great events.”

France’s Ugo Coussaud had earlier set the clubhouse target with his own 65 at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid having made two eagles at the par-5s 4th and 14th as well as four birdies and two bogeys.

“It was a great day,” said Coussaud. “Many, many great shots close to the pin – especially on the two par-fives, and I made the two good putts – so just a great day.

“I had a few bad shots as well but I recovered quite nicely so I’m very happy with today.”

France’s Frederic Lacroix made a single bogey and closed with a 66 for a share of third place at 5-under alongside a bogey-free Bernd Wiesberger of Austria and England’s Marco Penge who also eagled the 4th and made two bogeys.

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