Wade Ormsby missed a chance to post the second sub-60 round in European Tour history when he raced to the turn in 28 at the Scandinavian Invitation.
The Australian holed his four-iron approach to the 14th for an eagle two on on the par-70 layout, however, the 39-year-old could only pick up two birdies on the front nine, his inward nine, to finish eight under par, a shot ahead of home favourite Joakim Lagergren and France's Alexander Levy.
"I made a pretty straightforward birdie on the 12th and then at the 14th I was in between a five and a four iron, picked the right one and boxed it, so then I just got a bit of momentum through the final holes," Ormsby said.
"I felt like I had been hitting the ball quite well, I just wasn't quite free enough in my putting, so I was working hard on that to get back to a point where I feel more comfortable and less into my technique."
Levy had missed the cut in eight of his last 10 starts as he works on swing changes with coach Sean Foley, but feels he is on the right track after a 63 which featured eight birdies and a solitary bogey.
"When you look at the video of my swing it's totally different so it's nice," Levy said. "I feel I have really good control on the flight and spin of the ball which was what I really wanted."
World number 30 Matt Fitzpatrick, the highest-ranked player in the field, is two shots off the lead after a bogey-free 64.
Gavin Moynihan is the best of the Irish on one under par, while Michael Hoey shot a two-over 72. However, it was not a great day for Paul Dunne who sits in a tie for 146th place following a disappointing six over 76.
