Home favourite Russell Knox turned in 31 at St Andrews to set the early pace on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The Scotsman has showed his links prowess before with his victory at the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and he delighted the local crowds at the home of golf as he got to five under.
Fellow Scot Euan Walker and Japan's Hideto Tanihara were a shot off the lead after eight holes also playing at St Andrews, while two time Alfred Dunhill Links champion Padraig Harrington was putting together a stunning round to reach four under after six holes at Carnoustie.
Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño completed the group a shot off the lead having played five holes at St Andrews.
Knox went out in the just the second group of the day from the first on the Old Course and picked up shots on the first fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth.
Tanihara picked up four shots in a row from the third, while playing partner Walker made gains on the second, fourth, fifth and seventh.
Fernandez-Castaño parred the first but then made four consecutive birdies in his brilliant start.
Harrington is a true master of the links game having won two Open Championships to go with his two titles at this event, and the 2020 European Ryder Cup captain was taming the beast that is Carnoustie, with an eagle on the 12th sandwiched by birdies on the 11th and 14th.
Former champion Branden Grace and 2017 Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood were among a group of nine players two shots off the lead.
