Australian golfer Marcus Fraser was just one stroke from the lead after posting a six-under-par 66 in the opening round of the Italian Open.
Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts shared the lead with Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina and German Maximilian Kieffer.
Colsaerts picked up just one birdie in a solid front nine at the Golf Club Torino and despite a bogey at the par-four 10th the 32-year-old went on to reel off six consecutive birdies.
The big Belgian was par at the 17th and finished with another birdie at the 18th.
Having pulled out of the Dutch Open last week with flu, Colsaerts revealed his speedy recovery was partly down to the tender, loving care of his mother.
“Nothing beats a couple of days at home with your mum looking after you,” he said. “I was sitting on a sofa watching the golf and I was quite happy.”
Gonzalez has missed three cuts in a row since finishing runner-up at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles but stayed well in contention with six birdies, one bogey and an eagle at the 12th.
“I tried to relax the last two or three weeks but I played with a little tension. On Tuesday’s practice I said ‘come on, relax’ and it worked,” he said.
Kieffer, who is making a good impression on his European Tour debut, will boost his chances of qualifying for the Dubai World Championship with a good finish this weekend.
The 23-year-old currently sits 77th and could make the top 60 with a solid finish.