Syme started the final event on the European Tour’s new Canary Islands Swing with a bogey at the tenth before picking up two eagles in the next three holes then adding three birdies in quick succession to be six-under after eight holes.
But, after finishing his front nine with a bogey-6 and then coming home in level par, the 25-year-old had to settle for a five-under 66 on a low-scoring day at Golf Costa Adeje.
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Hide AdThe effort left Syme sitting in a share of 16th spot, four shots behind Laporta after the Italian came in late in the day with a card containing an eagle and eight birdies.
He leads by a shot from Spaniard Scott Fernandez, whose great granny came from Glasgow, with Welshman Enoch in a group on six-under along with both Calum Hill and Richie Ramsay.
Enoch set up a golden chance to become just the second player in European Tour history to break 60 after being seven-under through five holes before faltering around the turn.
His frustration was shared by Syme, who had been hoping for better after what he described as “fun little spell of golf” as he chipped in at the 11th then holed a 40-footer for his second eagle two holes later.
“It’s not very often you come off the golf course disappointed in shooting a 66,” he said. “I was absolutely flying to be six-under through eight holes with a bogey.
“So it was a funny day. Five-under is a good start, but it could have definitely been a lot better.”
Hill carded an eagle and six birdies while Ramsay produced a bogey-free effort in securing the start he’d been looking for in his bid to get into contention again at the business end.
“My putting compared to last week (was pleasing),” said Hill of his afternoon’s work. “I only had one three putt today and many of them last week, so that was much better.”
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Hide AdGrant Forrest, the fourth Scot in the field, bogeyed the last for a 67, one less than South African Dean Burmester, last week’s Tenerife Open winner at the same venue.