Pavon followed an opening 63, his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, with a 70 on Friday to reach nine-under-par, with compatriot Julien Guerrier and Spain's Adrian Otaegui on seven-under.

Poland's Adrian Meronk is a shot further back after a second consecutive 68.

Starting on the back nine at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Pavon threatened to leave the field trailing in his wake when he carded a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th.

But the Frenchman dropped three shots over the next 13 holes before closing with a 57-foot birdie on the 9th.

"Quite an up and down day," Pavon said. "I started quite fast with a lot of good shots, made some birdies earlier on and that was great, but then I made some mistakes."

Defending champion Robert MacIntyre had earlier been forced out of the tournament due to a back injury less than an hour before he was due to tee off.

The Scot wrote on social media: "Gutted to withdraw this morning from the @ItalianOpen with a back strain. Hopefully nothing too serious. Now for a week of rest before the PGA Championship."

MacIntyre had carded an opening two-over-par 73 on Thursday.

Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald missed the cut after consecutive rounds of 74 left him six-over-par.

Jason Scrivener, the only Australian in the field, also missed the cut after following his 74 on Thursday with a 75.