Frenchman Rozner, whose victory last year came at Mont Choisy Le Golf, started from the 10th and made five birdies in his first seven holes before an eagle on the 18th took him to the turn in just 29.

An historic 59 looked a distinct possibility when Rozner started his back nine with four birdies in the first five holes, but he pulled his tee shot on the 6th into the water and also bogeyed the 9th following a birdie on the 8th.

"I couldn't dream of a better start," the World No.128 said.

"I started really hot, shooting seven-under on the back nine. It was unbelievable, I didn't miss a single shot, holed everything I had and holed a bunker shot on 18.

"Everything went my way and then I just kept going for the birdies on one, two and three. After the birdie on number 5 I really thought about shooting 59 but unfortunately for me the bad tee shot on 6 cost me that magic number.

"But I'm really happy with my round, amazing score and 10-under is my lowest score ever."

Despite such a low score, Rozner only ended the day with a one-shot lead over England's Paul Waring, who birdied five of his last nine holes to return a bogey-free 63.

South Africa's Jayden Schaper was two shots further back after making an eagle and seven birdies in his 65, with course co-designer Louis Oosthuizen – who won the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Monday – returning a 68.

Australian Andrew Martin opened with a two-under 70, while his compatriot Haydn Barron carded a 73.

The Mauritius Open completes the swing of tournaments in Africa before the DP World Tour takes a break over Christmas before resuming in the New Year for a string of events in the Middle East, starting with the Dubai Invitational on January 11.