Damien McGrane of Ireland and Luke Goddard of England shot 8-under 64s to share the lead after the first round of the Estoril Open Thursday. The pair led by a stroke from Stuart Manley of Wales and Eirik Tage Johansen of Norway. McGrane and Goddard raised the issue of whether they equaled the record or set a new one for the holiday resort course of Penha Longa on the easternmost peninsula of continental Europe. Welshman Philip Price shot a 64 at Penha Longa in 1994. However, par then was 71. In recent years the course has been lengthened to 6,903 yards and the par increased to 72. What was clear, however, were the chances McGrane missed to put an end to the record debate. While his bogey-free round contained eight birdies, he also missed close-range opportunities with his putter on the 10th, 17th and 18th greens. A 63 would have equaled his lowest score in 14 years on tour. McGrane had a run of five birdies in six holes from the 11th. Goddard turned pro after last's years Walker Cup and had previously failed to make the cut in any of the European Challenge Tour events this year. However, while he made six birdies, his card was enhanced when he sank his second shot from the 11th fairway to make an eagle two. McGrane and Goddard were among the afternoon starters playing when the course was softened by two short but fierce rain showers at lunchtime. And they were chasing an early 7-under 65 total set by American-born Norwegian Johansen. Although he dropped a shot at the 17th when he drove into trees, he was happy to have struggled away from the fairway only once in his round. Like Goddard, Manley arrived in Portugal with little or no form, having missed nine of his 11 cuts this year on both the main and Challenge Tours. After taking the lead at 8 under in mid-afternoon, his play at the par-four 9th hole, his last of the day, undid much of the hard work he'd done to boost his confidence. Manley drove into a bunker, failed to reach the green with his recovery, completely mishit his first attempt to chip onto the green, and the subsequent bogey dropped him into a share of third place. Woods to play charity event Three-time British Open champion and world No. 1 Tiger Woods is to warm up for this year's renewal in a two-day charity event in the Republic of Ireland it was announced Wednesday. The 34-year-old 14-time Major winner leads an all-star field at the J.P McManus Invitational Pro-Am on July 5-6 July at Adare Manor in County Limerick - five years ago the previous event raised more than 30million euros for charity. “Like my own Foundation, I understand the importance and necessity of raising funds to help deserving individuals - this tournament does that,” said Woods, who has competed in four tournaments since returning after an enforced absence following revelations about his extra-marital affairs. Woods joins Lee Westwood, Jim Furyk, Ian Poulter, Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Robert Allenby, Padraig Harrington and Camilo Villegas in the field for the 36-hole pre-Open competition. Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Douglas, Hugh Grant, Kyle MacLachlan and the pop group Westlife are among the celebrities who have agreed to take part in an event organized by former Manchester United co-owner and this year's Grand National winning owner JP McManus. The Open runs from July 15
