Matthieu Pavon fired the lowest round of his DP World Tour career on Thursday as a stunning 63 saw him open up a two-shot lead at the 2023 DS Automobiles Italian Open.
The Frenchman has a lot to play for at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club this week, with a maiden DP World Tour title and the chance to capture European Captain Luke Donald's attention on this year's Ryder Cup course possible prizes.
And he did his chances no harm in a sensational opening round, carding nine birdies and a single bogey to reach eight under par.
Pavon turned in 29 after reeling off six birdies on the front nine before adding three more gains and one bogey down the stretch.
Maximilian Kieffer was alone in second on six under after making an eagle, five birdies and one bogey in his 65.
France's Julien Guerrier and China's Wu Ashun were another shot back on five under after posting 66s in the morning.
Afternoon starter Pavon began his round with a birdie at the first, holing from 28 feet before saving par from even longer range on the second hole.
After birdieing the third, the 30-year-old then reeled off a hat-trick of gains from the fifth to grab a share of the lead on five under.
Pavon hit the front on his own with a seven-foot birdie putt at the ninth before back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th took him three shots clear of his nearest challengers.
The Frenchman gave himself another good chance at the 13th but sent his birdie effort racing four feet past the hole before tidying up to remain bogey-free.
Despite missing the 14th green, Pavon managed to get up and down for an important par before missing his close-range birdie try on the 16th.
A bogey followed at the short 17th but he bounced back with a closing birdie.
Pavon said: "All in all it was just great playing.
"Nothing bad to say about today. I was really, really solid off the tee, probably only missed two fairways today - and every time it was by a few inches.
"The putting was amazing also. I dropped a lot of putts. I think I probably made nine putts on my front nine, which is quite funny. Everything was just excellent today.
"I was not really sure about a low, low score like this. I knew I could do great, but that great (63), I'm a bit surprised."
