Dyson takes slender first-round lead
Paul Broadhurst is two shots off the lead
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Thursday, 29, Mar 2007 11:07
England's Simon Dyson is one shot clear of the chasing pack after the first round of the Portuguese Open at Quinta da Marinha.
Ranked 75th in the world, the 29-year-old took full advantage of his early start as he returned to the clubhouse clutching a four-under 67 just as a treacherous wind started to whip around the course.
His closest challengers are England's Ross McGowan, Scot Stephen Gallagher and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen who form a menacing trio on three-under.
Defending champion Paul Broadhurst will still have high hopes of retaining the trophy after a brave 69 kept him well in the hunt alongside fellow Brits Barry Lane and Nick Dougherty.
Dyson made his move after the turn as an eagle on the 16th crowned a fine 32 for the inward nine and gave him the edge over his more illustrious opponents.
"It was just solid striking. I only hit one bad shot and it's just about keeping your head - it can make you look stupid at times," he said when asked about his tactics for coping with the conditions.
Broadhurst admitted that the weather had made for a challenging opening day in his attempt to land the tournament for the third consecutive year.
"It is just a matter of surviving," he added.
"Putting is as hard as anything and, if you back off a shot, you can end up in a different county."