Andrea Pavan turned in 31 to open up an early two-shot lead as day one of the D+D Real Czech Masters got under way.
The Italian - who regained his card via the Qualifying School after twice previously graduating from the Challenge Tour - currently sits 53rd on the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex as he enjoys a productive season.
The four-time Challenge Tour winner had three consecutive top 11s in April and May as he searches for his first European Tour win, and finished in the top ten last week at the Nordea Masters.
Five birdies in his first nine holes at Albatross Golf Resort continued that good form and moved him to five under, two clear of a group of eight players including local favourite Filip Mruzek.
Pavan made a birdie-birdie start and added further gains on the fifth and sixth before picking up another shot on the par five ninth.
Mruzek had birdies on the 12th, 13th and 15th to sit alongside Spanish duo Pep Angles and Scott Fernandez, English trio Marcus Armitage, Matthew Nixon and Callum Shinkwin, Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu and Scot Connor Syme.
Alexander Knappe made the 29th hole-in-one of the season, aceing the seventh with a seven iron from 187 yards to sit in the group at two under.
