England's Nick Marsh was enjoying a dream European Tour debut in the early stages of the Hassan Trophy in Morocco.
Marsh only turned professional late last year and failed to gain his card via the qualifying school in November, but found himself near the top of the leaderboard at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam on Thursday.
The former English amateur champion started on the back nine and birdied the 10th and 12th before dropping a shot on the 16th, but bounced back immediately with another birdie on the 17th to reach the turn in 35.
At two under par the 21-year-old from Yorkshire was just a shot behind Denmark's Lasse Jensen, who was playing the course the right way round and had covered the front nine in 32 thanks to birdies on the first, fifth and ninth.
England's Seve Benson was alongside Marsh in second place thanks to birdies on the 13th and 14th, with South Africa's Dean Burmester among a large group a shot further back.
Burmester (97th) and France's Alexander Levy (100th) are the only players in the world's top 100 in the field, with Scotland's Richie Ramsay opting not to defend his title in order to spend time with baby daughter Olivia.
Source: PA
