A right wrist injury to Rory McIlroy added to the drama of an opening day at the US PGA Championship which saw Steve Stricker fire a record-equalling 63.
McIlroy battled on with a bandaged arm after hurting himself by striking a club against a tree root on Atlanta Athletic Club's third hole.
Remarkably he managed a level par 70 to be inside the top 30 before being taken to hospital for a scan.
US Ryder Cup star Stricker's seven birdies came at holes which included the 15th and 18th, two of the three that Tiger Woods double-bogeyed in a 77.
He started on the back nine and was already seven under after 14 holes of his round, but parred his way in from there, missing a 12 foot chance on the 426 yard ninth and so instead of becoming the first to shoot 62 in majors he joined a list of 22 other players to have 63. Greg Norman and Vijay Singh have done it twice.
Stricker led by two from Jerry Kelly and by three from their fellow American Shaun Micheel, winner in 2003.
On the putt to break the record, the 44 year old, yet to win a Major, said: "Sometimes when you know it's for something extra special you dig a little deeper, but I can't complain.
"I realised it was for 62, but I didn't realise it was for history.
"Just to hit it on the fairways was my goal for the day. It's a very difficult course from the bunkers and rough.
"I came to the course really not expecting too much. I really hadn't made too many birdies in the three previous practice rounds that I had.
"I don't take a lot of stock in those practice rounds - but I really felt like I was in trouble coming into this tournament."
The leading Europeans were England's Simon Dyson, 18 year old Italian Matteo Manassero and Dane Anders Hansen with 68s, while World Number One Luke Donald matched McIlroy's 70 and World Number Two Lee Westwood was one further back.
Westwood birdied the last, but thought it was going to be a double bogey.
"Seriously I did turn a six into a three. I pulled it down the left, landed on the wall (of the lake) and it shot out to the fairway," Westwood said.
"I wasn't flawless today, but it was pretty good. I think I've just got to be patient."
