While Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia were locked in a five way tie for the lead in the WGC - Cadillac Championship, three more of Europe's Ryder Cup heroes were waiting in the wings at the end of the opening round in Miami.
Defending champion Justin Rose was joined by compatriot Ian Poulter - himself a WGC winner having emerged triumphant in the Accenture World Match Play in 2010 - on four under par, while Sweden’s Peter Hanson was a shot better off.
That left Hanson one - and his team-mates at the showpiece two - adrift of leaders McDowell, Garcia, Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson and Fredrik Jacobson, primed to make a run at the trophy having tamed the Blue Monster course on day one at Trump Doral.
“I haven't even looked at the board but I guess it's up there,” said Poulter after his 68.
“You know, I guess a couple of guys could probably get to six under I would think today, but it's right in there. I mean, it's a decent start to a week which I really want to play well in."
You would expect Hanson to be even more satisfied with his efforts given he lies just a shot adrift of the leading quintet - though that did not prove the case.
He admitted: “You know, it was an average round of golf, but I putted really lights out, so it was one of those, I got the most out of the round I think.
“It was a nice way to start, five under around here.”
