American Peter Uihlein drew inspiration from the US Open victory of former room-mate Brooks Koepka to claim a share of the lead in the weather-affected HNA Open de France.
Uihlein, who shared an apartment with compatriot Koepka in his first few years as a professional, carded a second consecutive 67 at Le Golf National to join Spain's Adrian Otaegui at the top of the leaderboard on eight under par.
Otaegui had set the early clubhouse target following a superb 66, before an afternoon thunderstorm led to a delay of two hours and five minutes.