South African qualifier James Kamte and Welshman Kyron Sullivan each shot six-under par 65s to share the opening day lead at the French Open on Thursday.
A stroke behind were England's Benn Barham and Graeme Storm, and Sweden's Steven Jeppesen and Christian Nilsson on the par-71 National Golf Albatross course on the outskirts of Paris.
Kamte eagled the third hole and added five birdies.
"If I ever win one of these big events I will thank Ernie [Els] right there on the spot," Kamte said. "He gave me the opportunities to play back home through his foundation when no one else would give me the opportunities. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be sitting here today."
The 25-year-old Kamte gave up a promising soccer career to join the Ernie Els Foundation, set up by the three-time major champion to help underprivileged children.
"Ernie did everything for us. He was flying us around, paying our accommodation, giving us pocket money, paying our food, caddies, giving us golf clubs," Kamte said. "We were absolutely spoiled. When the time came for me to leave the foundation they had to drag me away because I knew it would be tough, so I decided to turn pro straight away."
Thomas Levet of France was two shots off the pace.
Colin Montgomerie, the 2000 winner, hit a three-under 68, along with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn.
The 44-year-old Scottish player is confident he's getting his game together after four missed cuts in a row in the majors and an 82 at the US Open two weeks ago.
"My swing is back, just like back in the '90s," Montgomerie said.
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