Oliver Wilson is chasing his maiden tour win in Madeira. ©Getty ImagesGlasson’s Colm Moriarty missed the cut by a shot as Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson fired a seven under 65 in the Madeira Islands Open - Portugal to lead a European Tour event for the first time since November 2008.

Micahel Hoey in action in Malaga in March. Photo Eoin Clarke/Golffile 2011)Michael Hoey admits that he’s over his jealousy of superstars Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald.

The Ulster star, 32, grabbed just his second tour win in the Madeira Islands Open on Sunday and confessed he’s ready to do his own thing from now on.

Michael Hoey in action during last season’s Irish Open in Killarney. Credit: golffile.ieWho else but Michael Hoey could use words like crazy, weird, ugly, strange and lucky to describe a brilliantly resilient two-shot victory in the Madeira Islands Open?

The quixotic and wildly talented, 32-year old Ulsterman has always been Irish golf’s mystery man. But following his second European Tour win and his fifth as a professional, you get the impression that he is finally about to live up to his massive potential.

Michael Hoey plans to be aggressive when he goes into final round of the Madeira Islands Open tied for the lead with England’s Jamie Elson.

Bidding for his second European Tour title, just over two years after his maiden win in the Estoril Open de Portugal, 32-year old Hoey fired six birdies in a five under par 67 to share top spot on nine under par.

Simon Thornton. Credit: golffile.ieNewcastle’s Simon Thornton built on his good form in Mallorca last week when he carded with a one-under par 71 on a windswept opening day of Madeira Islands Open at Port Santo Golfe.

Michael Hoey and Simon Thornton both claimed spots inside the top 20 at the Madeira Islands Open – BPI Portugal as England’s James Morrison held off a rampant Oliver Fisher to win his first European Tour title with a birdie at the 72nd hole.

Simon Thornton fired himself into contention at the Madeira Islands Open – BPI Portugal with a second-round of 66, and then confirmed that he will see the tournament out even if his wife goes into labour as expected this weekend.

In the midst of all the Tiger-led frenzy surrounding this year’s Masters you could be forgiven for thinking that there is only one golf tournament being played this week. Away from the media glare of Augusta however is this week’s rather low-key European Tour event, the Maderia Islands Open – BPI Portugal, where Simon Thornton is leading the Irish charge after day one.

Irish duo Damien McGrane and Michael Hoey will try to chase down budding superstar Estanislao Goya in the final round of the Madeira Islands Open BPI-Portugal.

Michael Hoey produced a scintillating exhibition with his irons to grab the halfway lead in the Madeira Islands Open.

Damien McGrane ended day one of the Madeira Islands Open in a tie for the lead after firing a terrific five-under par round of 66.