Chris Hanson eagled the 12th to grab the lead midway through the third round of the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco.
The 30 year old Qualifying School graduate, who finished fourth in a Challenge Tour event in Madrid last week, had three birdies in his first 11 holes at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
He then made light work of the long 12th to snatch the outright lead on six under, with overnight leader Francesco Laporta having slipped back to three under following a shaky start.
Hanson’s fellow Englishman David Dixon was a shot behind after seven birdies and two bogeys over his first 16 holes, with a further four players tied for third on four under.
Italy’s Renato Paratore carded a 69 to set the early clubhouse pace at one under par.
