Paul Casey is on the verge of breaking into the world's top 20 for the first time after a brilliant eight under par 63 in the Telefonica Madrid Open today.
Casey, up to 22nd in the rankings after beginning the year only 104th, is one ahead of Sergio Garcia and two in front of Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson after the first round at Club de Campo.
Casey's round did not count as a course record-equalling effort because placing was allowed on the wet fairways. But he was delighted nonetheless.
"I didn't expect much after two weeks off and not hitting it well the last two days," said the 26-year-old. "I was working on some stuff, but then decided to throw it out of the window and forget about how I was swinging it.
He collected seven birdies and also an eagle at the 518-yard fourth, where he struck a two-iron 240 yards uphill to 20 feet.
Garcia had two eagles, first sinking a 103-yard wedge to the fifth and then making an 18-footer on the long seventh.
After failing to qualify for the US Tour's season-ending Tour Championship - only the top 30 money winners play that and he is down in 93rd place - Garcia needed to play this week to make sure of appearing in next week's Volvo Masters at Valderrama.
For the first time only the top 60 on the Order of Merit qualify and he is currently 58th.
That looks a real comedown for a player who was fourth in the world entering 2003, but Garcia embarked on swing changes and knew it would be time before he was firing on all cylinders again.
However, such is the nature of golf that when he started hitting the ball better his putting deserted him. He is 182nd in that category on the US circuit, but had only 28 putts today.
Harrington enjoyed himself again at one of his happiest hunting grounds. His first tour win was the 1996 Spanish Open and three years ago he was successful on the course once more.
It is a different-looking Harrington now, though. His pre-shot routine includes a succession of waggles that he hopes will help make him feel more comfortable over the ball.
Less comfortable on the ball apparently were Ireland's four other participants who failed to make much headway after enduring a mixed rounds.
Paul McGinley and Gary Murphy both finished on level par with Graeme McDowell one behind and Peter Lawrie three over after 16.