Rhys Davies posted a career-best eight-under-par 64 to storm to the top of the standings on day two of the Trophee Hassan II.
The 24-year-old Welshman carded eight birdies during a flawless round of golf which saw him reach the halfway point in Morocco with a two-stroke lead in hand over Spaniard Ignacio Garrido (67), South African Louis Oosthuizen (64) and Frenchman Thomas Levet (65).
Davies commented: "It went great. I rolled some really good putts in and overall it was a good day's work.
"This time last year I didn't really have any status in Europe but I managed to get a win on the Challenge Tour and everything sort of spiralled from there.
"It's been really good the last 12 months. I am feeling very confident - you play golf to play well and to get to the top of the leaderboard.
"I think if you don't enjoy it at the top you wouldn't really want to do it."
Elsewhere, Paul Lawrie remains well in contention, the Irishman moving to nine-under courtesy of a 70.
Darren Clarke's appears to have left himself with too much to do at the week after only managing a 72, which moved him to four-under, where he is joined by fellow Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin, who posted a 69.
Elsewhere, Damien McGrane and Shane Lowry both closed one stroke the right side of par while Paul McGinley finished up on two-over despite carding a decent 71.