Australia’s Scott Hend and Korean Y E Yang set a fierce pace on day one of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.
Hend, who won his second European Tour title in Thailand in March, carded eight birdies and a solitary bogey on the 15th as a more conservative approach paid off for the big-hitting 43 year old.
"I tried aggressive last year and it really doesn't work," said the World Number 85, who missed the cut on his debut last year. "So I thought I'd just be a little bit cautious (off the tee) and a bit more aggressive into the greens. We'll see how that plays out during the week.
"There's a long three more days to go but I'm comfortable wherever I'm playing, whether I'm running last or whether I'm running first. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep going." - Scott Hend
Yang, who made history in the 2009 US PGA Championship as the first player to come from behind to beat Tiger Woods in the final round of a Major, also carded eight birdies and one bogey, the Korean's only blemish coming on the first hole.
South Africa’s Jaco van Zyl was two shots further back in third on five under, one ahead of a group including two-time winner Luke Donald.
Former World Number One Donald hailed the "perfect start" after beginning his bid for a third victory in six years with an opening 68 over the West Course.
Donald, who first reached top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking by beating Lee Westwood in a play-off in 2011 and successfully defended the title 12 months later, took advantage of ideal conditions to card six birdies and two bogeys.
And although that was three shots adrift of the clubhouse leaders, the 38 year old was delighted to see more signs of a return to form after coming into the week ranked 76th in the world.
Donald, who also finished second here in 2010 and third in 2014, said: "I love getting off to a good start on Thursdays, that seems to be the key for me. That was a perfect start for me this week.
"I've had a lot of success here and seemed to figure out this course a little better than others since the changes (by Ernie Els in 2009). The fact that the greens are more undulating now and the bunkers very deep plays to my strengths.
"The last year or two has been tough, I've struggled to gain confidence and feel comfortable but the last couple of months I'm feeling more and more comfortable and it's nice to see some better results. I feel like I am on the upward path.
"I hit a lot of very solid iron shots and lots of my birdies were from short range." - Luke Donald
Donald's last birdie of the day on the 18th came from that range, although that was courtesy of hitting the green in two on the par-five from 233 yards.
"I'm trying to live down the belief that I'm a short hitter," Donald joked. "I'm long enough to compete and the statistics don't always tell the story, but three-wood, hybrid to the last is not too bad."
Yang’s compatriot and defending champion Byeong Hun An had held the early lead when he carded four birdies in succession from the fourth, only to bogey the ninth and cover the back nine in 40 to card a level-par 72.
