Des Smyth claimed a share of the lead yesterday in the Madeira Island Open after a first-round 66 took him to the top spot alongside Sheffield's Malcolm Mackenzie.
Smyth (48) admitted he is simply keeping his game in shape for the lucrative Seniors Tour and the "crazy money" on offer in America.
"I'm just very pleased to be out here. I played today with Johan Skold and what a good player he is. Whenever I play with these young players I am very impressed. Tremendous standards coming through.
"The fact that I am competing with these young guys is great for my confidence and that's why I do it," said Smyth after a round of seven birdies and one dropped shot.
"It keeps my game in the kind of shape you need to. I have always said if you can keep your card on this tour you have done very well because of the high standards and that's what I'm trying to do."
Another Irish veteran, Philip Walton, was among those tied on five-under along with England's John Bickerton, Scotland's Andrew Oldcorn and former US Amateur champion Hank Kuehne.
Walton could have sensed it was going to be his day when he found a 500 escudo note on the practice range and then saved himself from a calamity on the opening hole.
After choosing the wrong club for the awkward dog-leg, Walton managed to escape with a par when a lucky ricochet prevented him from getting lost in the woods.
After that, the 38-year-old Dubliner steadied himself to card a five-under-par 67. "I wasn't really awake and I don't know what my caddie was thinking of letting me hit a three-wood at the first," Walton said.
"It was far too much club and I was lucky because my ball ricocheted back towards the fairway off the trees and I was able to hit a six-iron up just short and chip and putt for my par.
"It was obviously my day because I found a 500 escudo note at the practice area. I was going to give it to my caddie, but after that first hole, I'll have to think about it!"
After losing his European tour card, Walton can regain his position with the continent's leading professionals if he wins this tournament.
The Irishman was good enough to beat seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie when collecting one of his titles, the 1995 English Open.
Sheffield Wednesday fan Mackenzie is trying to rid himself of the tag of one of the longest serving players on the tour without a tournament victory after 20 years trudging the fairways of Europe.
"I know the tag is there but I'm trying," admitted the 39-year-old, who has two top finishes to his credit already this season. It makes me more determined and I would love to do it before I'm 40.
"This year I think there is something there. I'm shooting low scores which I have not done for a long time."
