Germany's Sven Struver found the form that earned three European Tour victories in the 1990s to stride into an early two-stroke lead on the opening day of the Madeira Islands Open.

The 40-year-old defied tough conditions at the mountainside course to produce seven birdies in a six-under 66 and move clear of Frenchmen Gregory Bourdy and Michael Lorenzo-Vera and Swedes Peter Gustafsson and Fredrik Widmark.

Peter Lawrie is the sole Irish competitor in the field and the Dubliner struggled to an opening 75 to be nine shots off the pace.   
 
Struver's career, which includes wins in the 1996 South African PGA Championship, 1997 Dutch Open and 1998 European Masters, has been in decline since the turn of the century but he began this season hoping to regain former glories.
   
A tied ninth finish in the Joburg Open gave the son of Hamburg golf professional Jochen a reminder of what he used to be capable of and his round in Madeira, achieved in wind and rain, left him craving more success.
   
"Playing in the last group out in the final round in South Africa this year showed me I can still compete," said Struver. "I had a little sniff then and I want more.
   
"I'm not happy finishing down at the end of the field. This is a good start. The course can grab you at any time, though, as I know it will me, but I've shot my 66 and this is a good cushion."
   
American Notah Begay, returning to Europe after experiencing back problems in 2007, carded a 71.
   
"The weather was kind of 'welcome back to Europe'," said Begay, who has opted to forego his place on the US Nationwide Tour.
   
"I could have been playing in Puerto Rico this week but I knew Madeira would be a good test for the back now I'm going to be playing in Europe through the year, and it stood up well."