Wilson in contention in Madeira

Oliver Wilson is in contention after a fast start to the Madeira Islands Open as he chases a first win on the European Tour.

With all the circuit's current stars over in America, Wilson shot a six-under-par 66 today to be in joint second place after the opening round.

Spaniard Alvaro Velasco leads after a 64 containing seven birdies in the last 12 holes.

Among those alongside Wilson is compatriot Tommy Fleetwood, the 21-year-old who won last season's Challenge Tour and who at 192nd in the world is the highest-ranked player in the field.

Also in with 66s were Swedes Joakim Lagergren and Magnus Carlsson and Dane Morten Orum Madsen.

Wilson, who did not have a bogey, has slumped to 475th on the rankings and lost his tour card last year.

The Mansfield golfer then chose to miss the qualifying school, preferring instead to clear up some health issues.

Ben Parker, who like Fleetwood hails from Southport, made it a six-way tie for second, but Velasco took the first-day honours.

The 30-year-old won the 2010 Challenge Tour, but lost his card on the main circuit last year.

"I was consistent all day and putted very well," Velasco told the European Tour website. "If you hit it in the right spots the course is quite easy, but if you're in the wrong place it's easy to get in trouble.

"I can't remember the last time I made such a good start to a tournament."

Fleetwood's opening effort was a 14-stroke improvement on his opening 80 in the Spanish Open last week.

"I've been saying for a while that I'm very close to playing great," he said. "The longest putt I had for birdie all round was about four feet."

Three-time tour winner Nick Dougherty, who made only one cut last year and was another to lose his card, had a 69, while Bradley Dredge, who shot 60 in winning the same event in 2003, had a 72 like fellow Welshman Phillip Price.