David Lynn, Christian Nilsson and Rhys Davies shared the early lead in the Alstom Open de France at Le Golf National.
Englishman Lynn, whose only European Tour victory came at the KLM Open in 2004, birdied the first, third and long ninth to turn in a three under par 33.
Nilsson also picked up shots at the first and third before making a three at the par four 12th, while Davies recorded three birdies in his first six holes.
The trio were one ahead of a host of players, including Denmark’s Jeppe Huldahl, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and South Africans Hennie Otto and Jaco van Zyl.
Oliver Wilson, Michael Jonzon and Fredrik Andersson Hed were also at two under, with Grégory Bourdy and Damien McGrane among those a shot further back.
Last year's Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie birdied the short 11th, his second hole, before slipping back to level par at the turn.
Runner-up to Pablo Larrazabal on this course three years ago, Montgomerie needs a top five finish to have a chance of claiming the one Open spot on offer.
2009 champion Martin Kaymer, who can move back up to World Number Three with a top eight finish this week, was also level par after mixing two birdies with two bogeys in his opening seven holes.
