Germany's Martin Kaymer left the rest totally in the shade with a course record-equalling 62 when the Open de France ALSTOM began in sunny Paris.
The 24 year old, who came so close to earning a Ryder Cup debut last year, chipped in for an eagle at the long third and collected no fewer than eight birdies.
Kaymer went to lunch nine under, three clear of England's John Bickerton, Rafa Echenique - the player who closed with an albatross to take second place in Munich last week, Ballantine’s Championship winner Thongchai Jaidee and Australia’s former The Celtic Manor Wales Open champion Scott Strange.
Last week’s BMW International winner Nick Dougherty and former amateur international Waring were a shot further back on five under.
Kaymer had experienced problems with blisters coming into the event, even cutting open his shoes to relieve the pain, and said: "It's still hurting, but I will survive.
"I've been missing a lot of short putts, but now everything came together and I hope it continues."
It was not the lowest round of his European Tour career, he shot a 61 in Portugal.
On the course, local favourite Jean Van de Velde made a good start with five birdies through his first eight holes to join Dougherty and Waring, with England’s Graeme Storm four under at the turn.
