Des Smyth, who became the oldest winner in European Tour history when he captured Madeira Island Open last year, carded a 69 today to make an encouraging start to the defence of his title.
The Co Louth golfer, chasing the ninth title of an illustrious career, said afterwards: "I am delighted.
"I had a couple of three-putts on the front nine and missed a very short putt on the 10th so when you add those three shots together and still shoot 69, I'm very happy. I played really well in between those mistakes."
Frenchman Olivier David holds the first round lead, after shooting a superb six under par 66 for a two-shot lead over compatriot Benoit Teilleria.
Smyth, 49, shares third on three-under with four others; Santiago Luna, Wolfgang Huget, Miles Tunnicliff and Ilay Goroneskoul.
Smyth managed just three pars on the front nine, an opening bogey was followed by two birdies and the same combination occurred from the seventh for him to turn in two-under 34.
Despite another dropped shot at the 10th the Drogheda professional steadied the round with birdies at the 12th and 16th. When Smyth won his eighth European Tour title here 12 months ago he became the oldest winner on Tour aged 48 years and 34 days, surpassing Neil Coles’ record by 20 days.
Seve Ballesteros was playing alongside Smyth and the mercurial Spaniard’s name was a surprise and welcome sight on the leaderboard after today’s 70. The 44-year-old, who only made three cuts last season and has not won since 1995, led at the Santo da Serra course at one point after reaching the turn in three-under 33.
"I played very well, especially on the front nine, but I struggled a bit on the back nine," said Ballesteros who dropped his only shot of the round at the 10th and is in a share of fourth place.
"I was not as consistent on the back nine but 70 is a good score and I'm very happy. The wind was picking up as the round went on and if it keeps blowing this afternoon it is going to be very difficult."
Of the three other Irish partcipants, Philip Walton finished with a solid one-under 71, David Higgins was two further back on one-over but Peter Lawrie had a disastrous day.
The Dubliner started on the back nine and recorded a bogey, double-bogey and triple-bogey in his opening six holes and eventually signed off for an 81.