Pavan set the clubhouse target by shooting a perfect 64 at 6:50 a.m. local time from the 10th hole of the Adriatic Golf Club in Cervia, a score later matched by Denmark's Sebastian Friedrichsen and American Gunner Wiebe.
Sweden's Marcus Kinhult lost a play-off at the KLM Open on Sunday to join Malaysia's Gavin Green one shot off the lead, while former Masters champions Patrick Reed and Danny Willett shot 69 and 72 respectively.
Pavan failed to qualify in seven of his first 10 starts this season but finished fourth in Amsterdam last week, just one shot shy of compatriot Guido Migliozzi's win in a three-way play-off.
“It was a tough match but you just try your best and sometimes you know you have played well enough to carry on,” said Pawan, a two-time DP World Tour champion.
“I haven't played here in a long time, so I don't feel like I know the course very well, but I played well today. I hit it well. I was in good position and hit it close. The course is not very long, but you still have to play it well.
“I think it has very small greens, especially on the back nine, so if you hit the green, most of the time you’re going to be pretty close to the green.
“It’s a little rough around the greens and there are a few trees off the tee boxes, but overall it’s the kind of golf course where if you play well it feels like you can get a low score, but if you hit it a little off it’s still a little bit of a struggle.”
England's Joe Dean, who is competing with Migliozzi and Kim Holt for the KLM Open play-off, continued his good form with an opening 68, while Migliozzi shot an even-par 71.
