David leads with opening 66

French youngster Olivier David was the surprise early pace-setter in the Madeira Island Open first round on Thursday after a faultless six-under-par 66.

The 24-year-old is the latest Frenchman to draw inspiration from Jean Van de Velde's brave attempt to win the 1999 British Open, as he attempts to emulate his close friend and compatriot Gregory Havret, the rookie winner of last year's Italian Open.

David set up his round with a 40-foot eagle putt on the long seventh, adding four birdies and no dropped shots in blustery conditions.

As a member of the French Federation's eight-man touring team, David, who normally plays on the Challenge Tour, is playing one of the four or five full European Tour starts he has been handed.

Now he can earn his full card in one fell swoop, providing another example of France's increasing stature on the European Tour.

Last year Thomas Levet and Havret earned titles, but it was Van de Velde's bid at Carnoustie in 1999 that David believes sparked huge interest in golf in France.

"It started with Van de Velde, certainly for me," he said. "When you look at it, that was the best performance by a French player.

"French players are getting better and better, not only Levet and (Raphael) Jacquelin, and it's just a matter of time before there is another winner.

"There are many other youngsters and I hope to be one to come through.

David led by three strokes from a player over twice his age, 49-year-old Des Smyth of Ireland, the defending champion, who shot 69.

At first Smyth was outdone by his playing partner Severiano Ballesteros, when the Spanish five-times major champion took the early lead.

A bogey at the 10th, though, restricted the 44-year-old Ballesteros to a 70 and only a share of third place.

"It was a stupid bogey on the 10th," Ballesteros said. "I hit my best drive of the day and I was in the perfect spot. Then I had doubts over my second shot.

"Perhaps it was because I'm not used to hitting from the middle of the fairway," he joked.

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