Welshman Jamie Donaldson bounced out of water on his second shot of the day and went on to record a seven under par 65 when the Madrid Masters began.
Still to win on The European Tour after 200 events, the 34 year old did not drop a stroke in establishing an early share of the lead along with compatriot Rhys Davies.
They held a one shot advantage over Ireland's Paul McGinley at Real Sociedad Hípica Española Club de Campo.
But it could have all been so different. "I got lucky," said Donaldson, thinking back to the long par five tenth, his opening hole.
"It pitched in the water and bounced out onto the fringe."
He chipped to six feet and made the first of seven birdies on a course where he does not rule out the possibility of The European Tour's first-ever 59 this week.
"If the weather stays good somebody is going to shoot something stupid - hopefully it will be me."
Sweden's Niclas Fasth had six birdies in the his first seven holes, but bogeyed the 451 yard first - his tenth - and needed another birdie three holes later to be in solo second place.
One stroke further back was 43 year old former Ryder Cup hero McGinley.
It was an all-Welsh tie at the top when Davies, who had his first European Tour win in Morocco in March, birdied the seventh and eighth to climb to seven under as well.
"I could have shot less," said Davies, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Friday.
"I made my fair share, but possibly left a few out there."
McGinley was one behind after his 66 and stated: "The great thing was no bogeys."
He chipped in from over 20 yards for eagle on the long 16th, his seventh, and had another bonus when he made a 60 footer for birdie on the short seventh.
Going best of the afternoon starters was South African Louis Oosthuizen, a winner in Malaga in March.
He eagled the tenth, turned in 31 and remained five under with seven to go.
