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Golf

Dyson takes slender first-round lead

29/03/2007

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."

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