Challenge Tour Member Marc Cayeux started the Africom Zimbabwe Open with an eight under par 64 to grab a share of the first round lead at Royal Harare Golf Club.
The 32 year old admitted he was feeling the pressure of local expectations after he stormed out in six under par 30 and came home in 34 to join Eugen Marugi at the top of the leaderboard, two clear of the chasers.
That opening blitz of six birdies in nine holes was the most emphatic way to lay down a marker in his quest for a home open championship.
"It's a tournament I've always wanted to win," he said. "I've given myself a good chance with a good round like that, but it's early days yet."
He tugged his tee shot on the tenth left to set up his only bogey of the day on an otherwise blemish-free card, but he was quick to downplay his chances with three days of play still ahead.
"If anything, I think I've put more pressure on myself," he said.
A group of four players are two shots behind the leaders - Titch Moore, Hennie Otto, Peter Karmis and Trevor Fisher Jnr all fired six under par 66s, with Ryan Clarke, Neil Cheetham and Anthony Michael sharing seventh on five under 67.
