Darren Clarke missed the cut at the Madrid Masters last week

Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Gareth Maybin fired opening rounds of three-under-par 69 in Thursday's opening round of the Portugal Masters.

Clarke carded five birdies while Maybin enjoyed a bogey-free round and McIlroy registered six birdies and three bogeys to leave the trio six off the lead.

Graeme McDowell is two over after a 74 with Irishmen Padraig Harrington and Damien McGrane on three under.

Francesco Molinari leads on nine under, two ahead of a trio of players.

Alastair Forsyth, Justin Rose and Charl Schwartzel all lie seven under.

Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry are two under while Gary Murphy is two shots further back on level par.

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