Swedish pair joined by Lafeber while Parry leads Yorkshire bid

Both men carded eight-under-par rounds of 64 on the Oceanico Victoria course to lead alongside Dutchman Maarten Lafeber. Another Swede, Alexander Noren, was a shot further back, with Finland's Mikko Ilonen. David Horsey was the best-placed Englishman on six-under, alongside veteran Irishman Paul McGinley.

John Parry, from Harrogate, led the Yorkshire challenge with an opening round of 69, while Hull's Richard Finch and Malton's Simon Dyson were a shot further back.