Donald and Howell took advantage of still winds on Portugal's southern coast to grab a one-shot lead in the 24-team field.

Tied for second after rounds of 60 were the Indian pair of Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal and Australians Mark Hensby and Peter Lonard.

The Welsh team of Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd and Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Niclas Fasth carded 61s.

Half of the teams carded scores of 64 or lower on the 7 174-yard Arnold Palmer-designed Victoria Clube de Golfe.

Although the tournament is a stroke-play event, Thursday's first round was played using the match-play format of fourballs(better ball). The format alternates between fourballs and foursomes(alternate shot) during the four days of the final World Golf Championships event of the season.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)