Joost Luiten wasted little time racing clear of the field when the second round of the ISPS Handa Wales Open began at The Celtic Manor Resort.
The in-form Dutchman had carded an opening 65, and the 28 year old made a perfect start when he birdied his opening hole.
Luiten, who finished fifth in the defence of his KLM Open title at Kennemer Golf Club last week, picked up another gain on the short par four 15th and at eight under par was three ahead of former champion Thongchai Jaidee, Scotland's Andrew McArthur and Nicolas Colsaerts.
Jaidee had carded four birdies and a double bogey in eight holes, while McArthur had opened his round with three straight pars and Colsaerts was among the afternoon starters.
Of the four players heading to Gleneagles to represent Europe in The Ryder Cup next week, Thomas Björn turned one under par for his round and the tournament, while Stephen Gallacher remained seven over after a level par front nine.
Home favourite Jamie Donaldson and former World Number One Lee Westwood were among the afternoon starters.
Luiten's lead was briefly four shots clear when he birdied the par five 18th, but a combination of his first bogey of the day on the second and a birdie from Jaidee on the fourth cut the gap to two.
