French amateur Eric Chaudouet shared the first round lead on his French Open debut today, becoming the second amateur to lead on the European Tour this season.
Chaudouet, Britain's Philip Golding and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts all shot a six-under-par 66 for a one-stroke lead.
Colsaerts ran in six successive birdies on the front nine, only two off the European Tour record.
The last amateur to lead in a European Tour event was 17-year-old Spaniard Pablo Martin, who shared top place going into the final round of the Canaries Spanish Open in late April before fading to finish 23rd. Chaudouet is only the fifth tolead since 1981.
"I was not playing very well and it didn't look as though I would be able to play," said the 25-year-old, who had a bogey-free round. "So I am very grateful for the wild card.
"My objectives then were to play well in the French Open and play well in the European Championship (next week).
"Today, though, I wasn't really under pressure because I felt I had nothing to lose."
Golding, whose total of 16 visits to the European Tour qualifying school is a record, has turned his career around after nearly retiring at the end of last season.
Colsaerts, a qualifier from last year's Challenge Tour, shot to prominence in early season when he carded a 64 in the Hong Kong Open before finishing 11th.
Spaniards Miguel Angel Martin and Jose Manuel Lara and Britons Bradley Dredge and Gary Birch Junior shot 67s to share fourth place.
Gary Murphy is the leading Irishman on four-under with Peter Lawrie coming a shot further back. Ronan Rafferty and Graeme McDowell picked up towards the end of their rounds to record a pair of two under 70's.
Paul McGinley worked hard for a 71 while Philip Walton finished further down the field on five 77.
One of the tournament favourites, Briton Justin Rose, missed out on a share of fourth spot when he accidentally trod on his ball in the rough at the 17th while chatting to playing partner Ian Poulter. It cost him a one-stroke penalty as he carded 68.