SANTO ANTONIO DA SERRA, Portugal — Lloyd Saltman of Scotland shot an 8-under 64 to match his best round Thursday, taking a two-shot lead after the first day of the Madeira Islands Open.

Saltman was the first golfer off the morning tee and birdied four of his first five holes. He finished with nine birdies and one bogey on a windy day at the Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra course.

"I'm very pleased with my round," Saltman said. "It wasn't easy out there today, with the wind swirling and getting very strong at certain points."

"I have put myself in a great position and I'm here to win," he added. "I've been working very hard trying to get my game as good as I can and it's nice to see the work paying off."

England's Richard Bland is two shots behind. Chile's Mark Tullo, Scotland's Craig Lee and Sweden's Joakim Lagergren are three back.