Matteo Manassero set the pace on the first day of the Omega European Masters after blitzing the course and shooting a seven-under-par round of 64.
The Italian wonderkid used his
Titleist AP2 irons to devastating effect to card seven birdies and 11 pars to leave him a shot clear of nearest challengers Graeme Storm and Mikko Ilonen.
Just 17 years of age, Manassero said he had drawn from the exploits of fellow countryman Edoardo Molinari.
Last week, Molinari clinched his second European Tour victory at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and a place in Colin Montgomerie's European Ryder Cup side in the process.
"That was the perfect round of golf. I didn't miss many greens and when I did I got up and down each time," the world number 257 said.
"It was the perfect round and I got inspiration from what Edoardo did last week at Gleneagles. What he did was pretty unbelievable."
Molinari is also appearing in the Omega European Masters and opened up with a 66 to leave him two shots adrift of Manassero.
Also in the hunt are Miguel Angel Jimenez and Darren Clarke, who are in a group at four under.
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