Pelle Edberg birdied three of his first four holes at the start of the Sicilian Open third round to establish a two shot lead at Verdura Golf resort and Spa.
The 32 year old Swede was one of six co-leaders at the halfway stage, but a blistering opening on his return to the course saw him pull clear.
The Challenge Tour graduate had birdies at the first, third and fourth to lie 11 under par, two ahead of clubhouse leader Andrew Parr.
With only five shots separating the leaders from the cut mark – equalling The European Tour record – it was no surprise to see players break from the pack, and Parr rose faster than the price of petrol with a five under par 67.
The 28 year old, 13th in the Joburg Open earlier in the season, produced a bogey-free round to climb 38 places and establish the clubhouse target at nine under.
Out on the course Dane Søren Kjeldsen, Scot Lloyd Saltman, English overnight co-leaders David Lynn and Simon Wakefield and American former US PGA Championship winner Rich Beem were all on the same nine under mark.
