A first round of 63 saw teenager Rory McIlroy top the leaderboard on day one of the Omega European Masters.
Hitting nine birdies and a single bogey for the lowest round of his professional career, the 19-year-old Northern Irishman finished eight under par at Crans-sur-Sierre to lead by three strokes.
Welsh pair Garry Houston and Kyle Sullivan closed on five under par in Switzerland, alongside Julio Zapata of Argentina, while Srixon golfer Miguel Angel Jimenez finished three under after bogeying his final three holes.
"This has been a long time coming for me as I have struggled over the last few months, but a score like this really boosts your confidence," McIlroy said afterwards.
"In this round I was getting up and down well and making a few putts, which made all the difference."
The youngster had missed three cuts in a row before this week''s European Tour event.
Jimenez is the only member of Nick Faldo''s Ryder Cup team taking part at Crans-sur-Sierre, following the withdrawal of Ping golfer Lee Westwood.
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