George Coetzee boosted his chances of keeping his European Tour card with a flying start at the Austrian GolfOpen presented by Botarin.
The South African, 142nd on The Race to Dubai and needing to move into the top 115 to retain playing privileges, got off to a flyer with four consecutive birdies from the tenth, before adding another at the 16th.
His first bogey came up the 18th, but by picking up shots at the 367 yard fourth and par five sixth the Qualifying School graduate raced to six under with three to play.
England's Sam Little and Kenneth Ferrie were joined by Spanish duo Jordi Garcia and Javi Colomo on four under in a share of second at Diamond Country Club.
Ryder Cup Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez recovered from a double bogey at the 17th to reach two under with four to play.
