Philip Beever shot a seven under par 65 to set a new course record in the opening round of the PGA Europro Tour event at The Shire London.
Beever (Peter Mitchell Golf Academy) recorded eight birdies on the Hertfordshire course in glorious conditions that were in stark contrast to the horrible weather in last week's Wensum Valley opener where the wind and rain played havoc with the scoring.
There were no such troubles at the Seve Ballesteros designed course for the man from New Ash Green, who was level through five then birdied six, seven and eight to kick-start his round and send him on the way to the course record, with five more birdies to come down the back nine.
"It feels great," said Beever after being told of the record. "I've never had one before. I went out early and had a good draw, and I just played solidly and putted well."
The 26 year-old was the talk of the clubhouse with the record and his healthy three-shot lead, and admitted there would be nerves ahead of tomorrow's second round.
"I've never been in this situation before, so I think I'll have a couple of beers with the lads tonight to calm the nerves and just plod along tomorrow."
The stunning weather and low score put a smile on Beever's face - but he will be dressing differently when he tees off at 12.40 tomorrow in what is likely to be another scorcher. "I certainly won't be wearing black again - that was a bad decision," he said.
Of the first half of the 156 field in early in the afternoon, three players shot four under par 68s - Mark O'Sullivan (Galway), Lloyd Kennedy (Chelmsford GC) and Adam Frayne (St Mellion) - while one shot behind them at three under was a group of four players - Jamie Elson (Forum Financial Associates), Colin Roope (wstore.co.uk), David Callaway (Linx International) and Dale Marmion (Eaton). Doncaster's Michael Hempstock, who lost out to Seve Benson in last week's four-way play-off in Norfolk, is in a group of five players at two under.