Robert Rock and Laurie Canter set the early pace as the Italian Open got under way at Gardagolf Country Club.
The second of back-to-back Rolex Series events brought an elite field to the shores of Lake Garda and the big names were already rising to the top, with Ryder Cup stars Matthew Fitzpatrick, Francesco Molinari and Thomas Pieters all just a shot off the lead.
Home favourite Molinari is a big draw this week as he goes in search of a second consecutive Rolex Series win and a third victory at his home Open but it was the English duo of Canter and Rock who got to five under to lead the way in the early stages.
Canter birdied the first, fifth and sixth before an eagle on the next catapulted him into top spot where he was soon joined by Rock.
The two-time European tour winner recovered from a bogey on the second with birdies on the fourth, sixth, ninth and tenth and an eagle on the seventh.
Playing partners Pieters and Molinari started on the tenth and the Belgian birdied the tenth, 13th, 15th and 16th, with the local hero making gains on the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th.
Fitzpatrick made a fast start at last week's BMW PGA Championship and he was at it again, birdieing the tenth and 14th and making an eagle on the 13th in his first eight holes.
English trio Matt Wallace, Paul Waring and Lee Westwood, Spanish veteran Miguel Ángel Jiménez and American David Lipsky were then two off the lead.
