Gordon Brand Junior put recent struggles behind him to surge up the leaderboard in the opening round of the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall.
The two-time Ryder Cupper, who made a dramatic debut in the event last year when he lost in an epic six hole play-off with his namesake Gordon J Brand, fired a three under par 69 for a share of the clubhouse lead with American John Benda and South Africa's Jeff Hawkes.
Brand Junior produced a near flawless display with birdies on the fifth, 11th, 12th and 16th marred only by a solitary bogey on the difficult ninth (his last hole).
The Bristol-based pro struggled at the Wales Senior Open last week so was happy to rediscover his touch but he admitted he was even more delighted to be playing alongside former Open champion Bob Charles - the oldest competitor whose one over par 73 matched his age.
"My real pleasure was playing with Bob, it was fantastic and he was only about 10 yards behind my drives, it was frightening," said Brand Junior.
"You don't often get the chance to play with class people and Bob was class today."
"I've been struggling with my game, nothing has been that consistent, but today was as good as it's been for some time," he added.
"To have just one bogey and a smattering of birdies is very satisfying."
Also revelling in the moment was the injury-plagued Hawkes who would have been the outright leader but for a double bogey on the last (the ninth).
The 55-year-old missed all last year following shoulder surgery and is now hampered by a severe foot problem which makes playing 18 holes a struggle.
"It's been a while since I've played under par, it was a shame about the finish but fun until then," he said.
"I had surgery last year and didn't play for an entire year and last week was the first time I've walked 18 holes and I'm not even sure I'll finish four rounds as I suffer with a condition that means the tendons in my feet go into spasm."
Ian Woosnam opened with a 73 and admitted he didn't have a clue what was going on with his game.
"I'm hitting some shots 20-30 yards left or right, and it's just not consistent. I just can't put my finger on when I swing well and when I swing badly," he said.
PGA Cup player George Ryall was a stroke further back at two over par after failing to master the pace of the greens.
"I didn't quite get the speed of the greens in the pro-am, I found them all quite slow so I changed my putter today and they were quicker!" said The Players Club teaching pro.
"I hit it long on the first and three putted straight away and struggled with the speed of the greens all day."