England’s Oliver Wilson produced a sensational return to form as course record-equalling 64 at Carnoustie gave him the first round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links championship.
A member of Europe’s 2008 Ryder Cup side, the nine-time European Tour runner-up had slipped to 792nd on the Official World Golf Ranking as Paul McGinley’s side retained the trophy at Gleneagles last week, and now primarily plays on The Challenge Tour where he finds himself outside this season’s top 100.
However, a second round 63 in Kazakhstan last month showed that his best form might not be too far away, and nine birdies and a single bogey – including a 30 foot effort at his final hole – gave the 34 year old a one shot lead over Raphaël Jacquelin.
“It's nice to just get out there and take advantage,” said Wilson. “Looking at the forecast, getting Carnoustie out of the way is theoretically the best thing, but you've still got to go and play and shoot a good score to take advantage of it, and I'm delighted that I have.
“Dunhill Links is always one of the best tournaments of the year. I'm obviously grateful to be here, but just trying to work on my own game to try to get a chance to get back on that team.
“It's a great tournament. It's good fun, and you think everyone's attitude is a little different, it's a little different to the cocoon of a normal tournament. You have your caddie and amateurs to spend time with and look after.
“We had a good fourball and it was fun, and that helps in this format because you're out there for quite a long time.
“It's nice to be on that board - like I said, I was really pleased with how I played. I've been working hard and the game is improving all the time.”
In an unusual change from recent years, both of the top two played Carnoustie in the pro-am event which is also played over the Old Course at St Andrews and Kingsbarns.
Carnoustie is traditionally the hardest of the three courses but was playing relatively easy in benign conditions.
Three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington, another to start the week at Carnoustie, was tied for third on six under despite bogeying the last two holes.
He was alongside fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, who played Kingsbarns.
Scotland's Stephen Gallacher was the best-placed of the Gleneagles quartet in the field after a 68, with fellow rookie Victor Dubuisson returning a 71, World Number One Rory McIlroy a 73 and Martin Kaymer a 74. European Captain Paul McGinley shot 72 in just his second European Tour event since July.
McIlroy was an approximate eight under par in beating Rickie Fowler 5 and 4 in the singles at Gleneagles, but managed just one birdie in his round on Thursday.
"A little bit flat, if I'm honest," McIlroy said when asked about his round. "Obviously with the crowds and everything we were playing in front of last week, to come here it seems a little quiet out there, but it was fun to get to play with my dad.
"I wish I had played a bit better and made a few more birdies but hopefully that will happen over the next couple of days.
"I want to win every week and I want to play well this week and at least give myself a chance. It was not the best score out there for me but we got the hardest course out of the way."
