Frenchman Matthieu Pavon set the early clubhouse target on the opening morning of the tri-sanctioned Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open at Anahita after producing a first-round 67.
The 26 year old carded three birdies and a single bogey on the front nine at Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita to reach the turn in 34.
Pavon then picked up further shots at the 13th, 16th and 18th to finish the day on five under par and jump to the top of the leaderboard.
Countryman Julien Brun, England's Jordan Smith and South Africans Rourke van der Spuy and Jaco van Zyl were in a tie for second on four under.
Smith and Van der Spuy were in the clubhouse after their 68s, while Van Zyl and Brun each had a couple of holes remaining.
Scot David Drysdale, who finished fifth at last week's season-opening Honma Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi, was among the large group on three under thanks to his opening 69.
