ST ANDREWS, Scotland (AFP) - Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell shot a course record-equalling ten under par 62 to lead a host of big guns after the first round of the Dunhill links championship.
McDowell, 25, played some breathtaking golf on the Old Course to take a three-shot lead over a four-strong group of players which included Retief Goosen.
Goosen's 65 came on the tough Kingsbarns course, where Pete Lonard and David Howell also tied the South African for his first round seven under par.
On the Carnoustie course James Kingston led the field on a seven-under-par 65, one shot ahead of fellow South African Richard Sterne.
McDowell meanwhile had a round that he will struggle to forget, and which equalled the course record set by Englands Brian Davis in the final round of the 2003 event.
He even came close to carding a 61 until his putt slipped past the right edge of the hole from eight feet.
"I'm very, very happy," said McDowell, who showed his potential last month when he carded a 62 in the final round of the BMW International Open in Munich.
"Obviously, the last round in Germany doesn't mean as much as this one; being at the home of golf and everything. It's just been a great morning. It's nice to open up the dunhill links with a career score."
While McDowell could boast 10 birdies on the day, US Open Champion Goosen posted seven.
"I'm happy with that," admitted Goosen, who thought he had a tough time playing on Kingsbarns.
"We were lucky with the wind dying down a little bit on the back nine because the course is tough.
"I think Kingsbarns is the toughest of the three courses we play this week which is why I am particularly pleased and also for the fact that I think this is my best round since I returned from my injury. The key today for me was my iron play which was a lot better than it has been of late."
Lonard made the bulk of his scoring on the outward half at Kingsbarns, birdieing four holes out of six from the third.
"Kingsbarns reminds me a little bit of Whistling Straits," said the Australian.
"It hasnt got the length or all the bunkers between the holes, but it has a similar feel to it. I like these courses where if the wind is not up you can get a good score but if the wind gets up it is a lot tougher."
Howell meanwhile is apparently on the kind of form which saw him excel in the Ryder Cup, before he finished third in last weeks WGC American Express Championship in Ireland.
"Obviously I am confident at the moment," he said.
"Last week was a big one for me and I am always comfortable with the format this week.
"It is very hard to win out here but if I keep playing well then the opportunities will continue to come my way and hopefully I will be able to take one when the time comes."
World number one Vijay Singh meanwhile lavished praise on McDowell after his own four-under-par 68 at Kingsbarns.
"It was hard to get close and attack here but it is three different courses and I won't look at the others until I have played all three," said the Fijian.
"I am happy with my score but the guy who shot a 10-under-par must be out of this world or out of his mind.
"That is fantastic but I am happy with my score."