Dixon weathers the conditions to stay on course in Madeira

ENGLAND'S David Dixon gladly swapped the stifling heat of Singapore for the wind and rain of the Madeira Island Open yesterday.

Dixon carded a first-round 68 at Santo da Serra despite a strong wind and heavy rain on the course perched 2,300ft above sea level.

That was just one behind clubhouse leader Magnus Persson Atlevi, the Swede carding a flawless 67 before a combination of rain and low cloud forced play to be suspended for almost two hours and 20 minutes.