Aberdeen's Graeme McInnes could scarcely have imagined after six holes that he'd be top of the pile after the opening round of the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship - the 100th year of the championship's existence.
Playing the 7,153-yard PGA Centenary course in blustery conditions, the 34-year-old Murcar Links pro proceeded thereafter to amass seven birdies in the remaining 12 holes for a super 69, four under par, one shot clear of Paul McKechnie.
This course and championship haven't been happy hunting grounds for McInnes in recent years. He comfortably missed the cut last year, and in 2005 he had to walk off the course after breaking a finger trying to extricate himself from penal rough alongside the par-five 12th fairway.
At least he got partial revenge this time at that hole, marking down one of his birdies after reaching the green in two, and adding two putts.
He was anxious to give credit to Craig Lee, runner-up to Dean Robertson in this event last year and signing for a 71 today. His coaching over the last year has concentrated on the game's strategies rather than technique.
"I lost my way by getting involved too much in technique. Craig lays a lot of emphasis on how you think your way round a course."
McKechnie had the perfect start, gaining shots at the first three holes - his only blemish of the round a dropped shot at the 176-yard sixth - and adding a fourth birdie at the par-four 14th, where he hit an eight-iron to six feet.
David Orr (tied third last year) and Jason McCreadie joined Lee on 71, and of the field of 132, only 11 players beat the par of 73.