Jayden Schaper continued his fine form to start the DP World Tour season as he looks for a maiden victory that would see him crowned Opening Swing champion.
The first six events of the 2024 campaign have their own Rankings, with the winner of the Swing being crowned at the conclusion of this week's AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
South African Schaper has secured three top tens so far on home soil but will need a victory at Heritage La Réserve Golf Club to top the Opening Swing Rankings and win US$200,000 and secure a place in the second stage of the season - the Back 9.
An opening 65 provided a promising start in the Indian Ocean and Schaper is eager for one more strong week before the festive break.
"It's been a good run of events," he said. "I'm looking forward to a bit of a break after this but one more strong week and I can have a nice couple of days off and get back into the start of the season.
"It's been a good run with some good positive results."
Starting on the tenth, Schaper turned in one under but caught fire on the front nine, registering four birdies and an eagle to fly up the leaderboard.
The 22-year-old finished in the top ten at this event last season when it was staged at Mont Choisy Le Golf - which like this week's venue was designed by Peter Matkovich - and he admits he enjoys the layouts of the renowned architect.
"It was a solid day's work," he said. "I got off to a bit of a slow start but on the front side, my back side, I just made a few putts, gave myself a few chances and finished strong.
"It certainly suits my eye. I played with Peter Matkovich yesterday and my home course is designed by him, last year's course Mont Choisy was also his. Those courses really suit my game and suit my eye.
"This golf course is quite tight off the tee box, I prefer a golf course like that, not one where you can just bomb it and find it and go again. It's more about placement around here and hitting the shots into the right end of the greens and setting yourself up."
