France's Adrien Saddier leads the Trophee Hassan II by a shot after Thursday's opening round in Agadir.
Saddier, who has never won on the European Tour, shot a seven-under 65 to stake an early claim with the help of an eagle at the first and two birdies before the turn.
Two more followed on the back nine, with his three at the par-four 18th helping keep Daniel Gaunt in second.
The Englishman was in with a shout of topping the leaderboard going into the 484-yard final hole, but bogeyed to slip to second with a 66 round.
"This place is just unbelievable. I played very solid - I had a chip in for eagle on the first then another chip in on six, so it was a great start and I kept it going," Saddier told the European Tour website.
"I just have a little category on The European Tour so I will be focused on The Challenge Tour this year.
"I played last week in Madeira and although the tournament was cancelled I was playing well in the strong wind so I'm in good shape for this week.
"It's almost my best round; I shot 64 in Qatar last year, which was eight under, so this is one of my best rounds.
"If I could get a win it would change my schedule as at the moment I'm playing on the Challenge Tour - I just need to focus on each shot now and see what happens."
George Coetzee, David Drysdale and Chris Wood sit tied third on 67, while defending champion Alejandro Canizares endured a miserable opening round.
The Spaniard, who shot a first-round 62 last year, faces an uphill challenge to get back in the thick of things after three double bogeys saw him finish Thursday tied 116th.
In the last tournament before The Masters, the Trophee Hassan II represents a final chance for competitors to secure a spot in the competition by moving into the world's top 50.