Romain Langasque equalled the course record at the Old Course, St Andrews after producing a remarkable burst of scoring in the closing stages of his first-round 61 to lead the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by one shot.
The Frenchman started at the tenth tee and went out in 33 before coming home in 28 - having covered the final six holes in seven under - to match Ross Fisher's record at the historic venue.
Langasque recovered from an early bogey with two eagles and eight birdies to reach 11 under par on a beautiful day in Scotland.
His nearest challenger was fellow Frenchman Frederic Lacroix, who made a spotless 62 over at Kingsbarns Golf Links to sit one shot off the lead.
Their countryman Antoine Rozner, who played at the Old Course on day one, was in a tie for third alongside Niklas Nørgaard Møller (Kingsbarns) another shot back on nine under.
Thomas Pieters' 65 was the lowest round of the day at Carnoustie Golf Links - this week's unique tournament's other host course.
Langasque got off to a disappointing start, carding a bogey at the short 11th after missing the green with his tee-shot.
But he bounced back in style, driving the 12th green before rolling in his 52-foot putt for a magnificent eagle.
After holing a lengthy birdie putt at the 14th, he saved par from more than ten feet on the 17th green before closing his front nine with another birdie at the 18th.
He birdied the second to move to four under par, then picked up another shot from six feet at the fourth.
His second eagle of the day arrived from more than 40 feet at the fifth before four successive birdies earned him a share of the course record.
Langasque was thrilled to write his name in the history books but is keeping his focus very much on the task at hand.
He said: "I'm so happy, the last three holes were really fun and I made long putts.
"It's amazing. I didn't realise that I have the course record here now and I think it's something I will remember for the rest of my life.
"But it's only the first round, so I'm also going to stay really focused for the next few days."
As well as topping the leaderboard, Langasque and partner Roy Ryu co-lead the team competition on 14 under par alongside Andrea Pavan and his team-mate Kieran McManus.
Due to the forecast for strong winds and heavy rain, Friday's second round will have a shotgun start at 08:30 on all three courses, with leader Langasque tackling Carnoustie on day two.
