On a new layout at the Danish course on Thursday, McGowan made seven birdies and chipped in for eagle at the par-5 8th for a nine-under-par 62.

"I'm very happy with that round, hit the ball close early doors and left myself a few birdies from four or six feet or so," McGowan said.

"I felt like it's been getting better the last few weeks but it's nice to finally put a round together and hopefully I can keep it going for the next three days."

McGowan holds a slim advantage over Ewen Ferguson, Matthew Southgate, Justin Walters, Rasmus Hojgaard and Marcus Helligkilde, who had been tied for the lead with 63s until McGowan's big finish.

Craig Howie, Francesco Laporta, Rikard Karlberg, Richard Mansell, Soren Kjeldsen, and Nicolai von Dellingshausen are in a group two shots off the pace.

The Australian challenge got off to a poor start with Zach Murray and Maverick Antcliff the best-placed on two-over-par in joint-122nd position.

Elvis Smylie shot a five-over 76, Dimitrios Papadatos went round in 77 and veteran Scott Hend had a nightmare quintuple-bogey nine on the 17th hole in the run-in to his nine-over 80.