Teenage sensation Matteo Manassero leads the field at the European Masters in Crans-Montana after shooting a seven-under-par 64 on Thursday.
The17-year-old Italian prodigy is one shot ahead of England's Graeme Storm and Fin Mikko Ilonen after day one at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.
Storm and Ilonen are tied for second after six-under par opening rounds of 65.
Six players are a shot further back, with Steve Webster, Robert Coles, David Drysdale, Rick Kulacz, Nirhat Chapchai and Edoardo Molinari all shooting five-under rounds of 66.
Manassero is the latest Italian to impress on tour after compatriot Molinari and his brother Francesco were named in Europe's Ryder Cup squad last week.
Edoardo Molinari wowed European captain Colin Montgomerie with three birdies on the last three holes to win the Johnnie Walker Classic in Scotland on Sunday.
Despite putting together an impressive round of his own on Thursday, Manassero still had Molinari's stunning finish on his mind.
"What Edoardo did was pretty unbelievable," Manaserro said.
"You don't see that very often to win a championship and then to be picked for The Ryder Cup with his brother was something to inspire everybody, not just me."
"I played nine holes with him in practice. He seems very relaxed now and calm and I expect him to play good this week."
"He is in the best moment of his life, just won a championship, made The Ryder Cup Team; it's been a fantastic year for him."
European Ryder Cup representatives Miguel Angel Jimenez and Darren Clarke lurk in a group of eight players at four-under par.
British Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen finished with a share of 69th on level par.
The European Masters continues at Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday.