Austrian Martin Wiegele was the early leader as the Trophée Hassan II began at the stunning Golf du Palais Royal.
The former Saint Omer Open winner started on the back nine and had three birdies in his first eight holes as low scoring proved difficult in a windy Agadir.
England’s David Horsey birdied the third after an approach to four feet to be two under through 12, alongside former French Open winners Graeme Storm and Pablo Larrázabal.
Only eight players were under par midway through the morning session - Norway’s Espen Kofstad, Frenchman Alexander Levy, Australian Ewan Porter and England’s Simon Wakefield all one under.
