England Simon P Brown birdied the last hole to take the outright lead with a six under par 66 in the weather-affected French Riviera Masters.
After heavy rain washed out the first day on Friday, the €400,000 tournament was reduced to 36 holes at Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, a European Tour Destination.
When play finally got under way, Brown was quick out of the blocks, posting seven birdies and one bogey to lead by one shot from Paraguay’s Angel Franco and by two from Englishman Gary Emerson.
“I played very well from start to the finish,” said Brown, who is currently 43rd in the Order of Merit. “I started off very well and was four under on the back nine, which was my front nine as I teed off from the tenth.
“I holed a long putt on the 16th and a good up and down on the 17th, so I was hanging in there at the right time. I had some luck, which is what you need to have a round like this.
“I’ve already had two victories on the Senior Tour, both in 2013, and another one would be very nice.”
Franco mixed eight birdies, a bogey and a double in his 67, and said: “I feel like I’m recovering my game.
“The golf course was in really good shape and I think we really have to congratulate the greenkeepers because they did an incredible job to make it playable.
“My putting could have been better, but overall I’m very happy with this round. It would be great to win this week.”
Defending champion Philip Golding was three over par after seven holes, but bounced back for a level par 72 and a share of 19th place.
This is the final Senior Tour event before the season-ending MCB Tour Championship, for which the top 60 players in the Order of Merit qualify.
