PORTIMAO, Portugal -- Defending champion Paul Broadhurst equaled the course record with an 8-under-par 64 on Thursday, taking an early one-stroke lead in the first round of the Algarve Open.

Broadhurst had an eagle and seven birdies at the Le Meridien Penina course in southern Portugal to lead Swede Christian Nilsson by one stroke. Robert Lee established the course record in 1987.

Frenchman Christian Cevaer shot 6-under 66 and three players were on 5-under - Swede Jarmo Sandelin, England's Richard Finch, and Spaniard Carl Suneson. The Englishman won this event last year for his European Tour title in almost 10 years. It was his fifth European Tour title.

Broadhurst, starting his round at the 10th hole, shrugged off a bogey at the 13th. On his second nine he had a 30, which included the eagle.

Broadhurst took a few lessons last week from veteran Scottish teaching pro Bob Torrance. Asked the secret of his 64, Broadhurst replied: "I just stood up and smashed the driver."

Play on the first day of the tournament was briefly interrupted when five parachutists accidentally landed on the course.

One of the parachutists reportedly had trouble and opened a backup chute. The other four decided to follow, citing safety concerns.

"There was no real hold up," tournament officials Paul Carrigill said. "The players had a look and got on with it. The parachutists were extremely apologetic."

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