Britain's Simon Dyson defied high winds over the heathland Oitavos course to take the early lead in the Portuguese Open first round.

Gusts up to 48kph particularly made putting a lottery but last year's double tour champion included a 20ft eagle putt in a round of four-under 67 to earn a one-shot lead.

South African Louis Oosthuizen and rookie professional Ross McGowan from Britain shared second place

Defending champion Paul Broadhurst, aiming to become the sixth player to win the same European Tour event three times in a row, and fellow Briton Nick Dougherty lie two shots off the pace.

Anticipating the high winds would cause difficulty, European Tour officials decided not to cut the greens before the opening round, but many of the players still suffered putting horrors.

"We all had a few putts that could have made us look stupid and if the greens had been cut we might not have been able to play," Dyson said. "It was a matter of keeping your head."

Dyson, winner of the 2006 Indonesian and Dutch Opens, is targeting a world top 50 place and top 20 on the European money-list this campaign.

"With a little bit of luck I might have had two more wins already this season," Dyson, ranked 75th in the world and 27th in Europe."

McGowan's 68 included an eagle-two on the 11th, where he used the strong wind to cut the corner and hit the green at the 348-yard hole to sink a four-foot putt.

Last year's English amateur champion gave up a near-certain place in Britain and Ireland's Walker Cup team for August, to turn professional.

Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie lead the five strong Irish challenge on two over par.  Paul McGinley struggled with conditions and is five over after his opening round.

Damien McGrane is a further shot behind while promising amateur Rory McIlroy endured a miserable day, shooting an eight-over par 79.