Shane Lowry made a brilliant start to life with new caddie Bo Martin at the Portugal Masters but that was no surprise considering the duo's record at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.
The Irishman split with long-time bagman Dermot Byrne in the summer and after a spell with his brother carrying the clubs, has now started working with the experienced Martin.
It looked like it could be a match made in heaven in Vilamoura, with Lowry claiming his first professional win here in 2011 and Martin being on the bag for Alexander Levy and Lucas Bjerregaard as they lifted the trophy in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
So it proved on day one, with nine birdies and two bogeys moving Lowry just one shot off the lead.
“My caddie has won twice around here,” he said. “He's just started working with me this week, so it's our first day on the job. I suppose there's only one way to go from here, that's the only thing.
“I've won here, I had my first professional win, so very fond memories. I love coming back down here to play and I come down on holiday quite a lot. I love it here.
“I'm obviously very happy, 64 any day is very good. I've had four weeks off so it was nice to come back and shoot a good score. Looking forward to tomorrow now.”
Matt Wallace was alongside Lowry at seven under and the Englishman was delighted to post a good score despite not feeling entirely comfortable.
“The good thing about it is that it wasn't fantastic out there,” he said. “It wasn't great but I grinded out there. I knew certain shots - what I had to do with my swing to hit that particular shot - and I chipped and putted well. I chipped in twice today, so that was great.
“I’m going to go back on the range today and get back my shot that I work on and then hopefully it can be as good tomorrow.”
Wallace is looking for a remarkable fourth success of the season this week and admits even he has been surprised by his stellar 2018.
“I didn't expect the level of success this year, it's crazy,” he added. “But it's stuff we've worked on.
“I always say to my team, if they can get me in position with nine holes to go I would like to think I can finish it. I'm the finisher but they get me there, they get me to that position. So that's what we work towards and hopefully we'll do that again this week and with nine holes to go have a chance of winning.”
Eddie Pepperell was the third player one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert and he was delighted to get off to another good start after a fourth sub-60 opening round in his last seven starts.
“You just try to do the same as you've done, really,” he said. “Historically I've always felt like I've grown into the week quite nicely after a Thursday but my Thursday form at the moment is unbelievable. It can only get worse from here!
“I hit the ball in the water off the tee on 11 and ended up making a good par. From there on I played very solid. Dare I say it, it came pretty easily to me today.”
