Ryan Evans and Lucas Bjerregaard remained unflustered in the wind to take a share of the lead after the first round of the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open.
Bjerregaard, eyeing a second European Tour title, set the standard with a six-under 65 in gusty morning conditions at Verdura Golf Club to hit the front.
Evans matched that target with the wind picking up in the afternoon, joining the Dane at the top of the leaderboard two shots clear of a group of five players by finishing with an eagle at the ninth.
Bjerregaard bogeyed his first hole of the day after he also started on the back nine, but made gains at the 11th and the 16th to hit the turn in 34.
The world number 209 went from strength to strength, birdying the second and fourth holes before finishing with three birdies in a row.
Englishman Evans made four gains and ended his round in style, eagling the par-five ninth to deny Bjerregaard the outright lead.
Scott Fernandez, Marcus Armitage, Andy Sullivan, Daniel Brooks share second place along with Adilson da Silva, while defending champion Alvaro Quiros is way back on eight-over following a 79 which included two double bogeys.
