Nino Bertasio made five birdies in his first nine holes to open up a two-shot lead early on day two of the Volvo China Open.
The Italian came into Friday at Topwin Golf & Country Club a shot behind leader Jin Daxing but turned in 33 to get to ten under and lead the way from the local favourite, who was not due out until the afternoon.
Spaniard Nacho Elvira was also making a move at seven under, a shot clear of Australian Jason Scrivener.
Bertasio is still searching for a first European Tour win after coming through the Qualifying School in 2015 but matched the best result of his career earlier this season with a tie for fifth at the Maybank Championship.
He opened with a bogey-free 65 on Thursday and carried that momentum into day two, making a birdie-birdie start from the tenth. He dropped shots on the 12th and 14th but quickly regained his momentum, birdieing the 15th, 17th and 18th.
Elvira finished third on home turf at the Open de España 12 days ago and he was in fine form again, making four birdies in a row from the third in his first six holes to sit three shots off the lead alongside England's Matt Wallace, who was due out in the afternoon.
Scrivener picked up a single shot in his first two holes to sit a further shot back alongside later starters Alexander Björk and Scott Vincent.
Playing partners Joost Luiten and Jorge Campillo were at five under having picked up three and two shots respectively in their opening six holes.
