Sweden's David Lingmerth enjoyed a dream start to his Open Championship debut as benign conditions at St Andrews saw the Old Course yield plenty of birdies early on.
The 27 year old Swede, who won his first US PGA Tour title last month by beating England's Justin Rose in a play-off at the Memorial Tournament, raced to five under after just six holes having begun his round with four successive birdies.
With a slight breeze coming off the North Sea helping players on the outward holes rather than offering any hindrance, scoring was the easiest it is likely to be all week.
Those out early took full advantage - as well they might as the forecast is predicting they will get the worst of the weather on Friday afternoon.
On Tuesday 14-time Major winner Tiger Woods, who has won twice around here, suggested it took a while to learn the intricacies of the Old Course, but Lingmerth did his best to dismiss that perceived wisdom with a stunning start.
That was backed up by Irish amateur Paul Dunne, playing in his second Open and first at St Andrews, who went to the turn at four under after birdie putts of 12 feet and five feet kick-started his round.
The 22 year old - who was mistaken for two-time major winner Jordan Spieth on the range this morning as he wears the same make of apparel - picked up another shot at the par five fifth and then, having hacked his approach out of the rough at the ninth, holed from 45 feet to turn in 32.
Another Open debutant, Robert Streb, was also four under through six holes but Thomas Bjørn - playing in his 18th Open at the age of 44 - showed that experience still does count for something as he also got to four under at the turn with four birdies in five holes from the fourth.
Lingmerth holed a 20 footer at the ninth to move to seven under, covering the front nine in just 29 shots, equalling the Old Course record set by Tony Jacklin (1970), Ian Baker-Finch and Paul Broadhurst (both 1990).
Dunne left his 15 foot par putt short on the 11th to drop his first shot of the day.
Bubba Watson, whose big-hitting game benefits a lack of wind, birdied the first from close range but compatriot Patrick Reed was the first to visit the Swilcan Burn guarding that green.
Spieth, chasing the third leg of an unprecedented calendar grand slam, birdied the first two from inside 12 feet to put him within four of the lead after Lingmerth's unbelievable run came to an end at the 11th where he dropped a shot.
