Robert Rock birdied his last five holes at Royal Park I Riveri to share the clubhouse lead with playing partner Chris Wood during the first round of the BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi.
The English pair both signed for eight under par rounds of 64 in Turin, and 34 year old Rock produced a stunning finish that included ten foot birdie putts at the seventh and ninth (his 16th and final holes).
“I holed quite a lot of putts today, which is something that has been testing me over the last couple of months,” said Rock.
“Tee to green my game has been good. Driving the ball well for a long time and my iron play has been okay. My short game hasn't been so hot, and at Wentworth I was bottom of the putting stats for the whole week and that was disappointing.
“I've been trying a lot of things and speaking to everyone to try and find something that will make a bit of improvement, so thank you to everyone who has helped!”
Incredibly, his inward 30 was a stroke more than his compatriot Wood - who like Rock is seeking a maiden European Tour title.
The 23 year old, who has twice finished in the top five at The Open Championship, turned in a one under par 35 but needed just 29 shots on the front nine.
He started with a hattrick of gains from the first, birdied the long fifth, holed a 12 foot eagle putt after a magnificent second on the par five eighth and struck a fine approach to five feet on the ninth to set up another birdie.
Wood narrowly missed out on his first victory last month when Darren Clarke overhauled his four shot final round lead in Mallorca, but a back injury has been causing him problems since.
“I wasn't expecting to go that low,” said the World Number 111, who finished third here last year. “I withdrew last week with a little injury and had been struggling a little bit but sometimes it pays not to do a lot of practice. It took me a while to get going with eight pars in a row and then a birdie on the 18th then 29 on the back nine.
“I've been struggling with my back for a while, a little on-going problem that I have at the moment - I am feeling it.
“It was good playing with Rocky and we seemed to fire off each other. It was a good round without a bogey - always nice to play that way. I've always liked this course. I played here in the European Amateur Team Championships and obviously last year I had a good finish and I always enjoy coming here.”
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson picked up five shots in four holes from the tenth, and a birdie at the last moved him into third on seven under par.
Home favourite Matteo Manassero converted an eight footer on his final hole as he marked an incredible first year in the professional ranks with a six under par 66.
The 18 year old was joined by France’s European Tour rookie Alex Kaleka and Dutchman Joost Luiten in a share of fourth, with Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari amongst the afternoon starters in his home city of Turin.
