Dyson sets early pace in Portugal
Dyson is ranked 75th in the world
(GB unless stated)
S Dyson
R McGowan, L Oosthuizen (SA), S Gallacher
P Broadhurst, N Dougherty, B Lane
The 29-year-old Yorkshireman is a shot ahead of compatriot Ross McGowan, Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher and South African Louis Oosthuizen.Defending champion Paul Broadhurst, who is seeking his third consecutive title, is among a trio on two under.Dyson had an early tee-time, which meant he enjoyed the best conditions on a windy day
at the Oitavos course.Players who started later on Thursday had to cope with winds that were gusting up to 30mph.His round included a 20-foot eagle putt at the 573-yard 16th, which down-wind he reached with a drive and a five-iron. “It was just solid striking,” he said. “I only hit one bad shot and it’s just about keeping your head - it can make you look stupid at times. “I had one shot of 100 yards and hit an eight-iron that came up 20 yards short. It was nice to start off in calmer conditions.”Broadhurst, who had to battle with the strong wind, admitted he had found the conditions a real test.”It’s just a matter of surviving,” he said. “Putting is as hard as anything and, if you back off a shot, you can end up in a different county.”Among those suffering in the wind was Briton Robert Rock, who ran up an 11 at the par-five eighth on the way to a 79. There were also three nines, several eights and a glut of sevens in the opening round.