McGowan leads Madrid Masters after 8-under 64

ALCALA DE HENARES, Spain — England's Ross McGowan shot an 8-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Madrid Masters.

McGowan, who won the 2009 tournament for his lone European Tour title, had 10 birdies — five in a row on Nos. 9-13 — and two bogeys at El Encin Golf Hotel.

Australia's Brett Rumford, Italy's Lorenzo Gagli and Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano were tied for second. Top-ranked Luke Donald, the winner last year at Real Sociedad Hipica Espanola Club de Campo, opened with a 68.