Padraig Harrington, who has never won a game in the Accenture World Matchplay championship, had no complaints with the start of his attempt to put that right today.
The eighth seed hit a 181-yard seven-iron to within two inches of the hole at the 450-yard first to take the lead against American John Cook - conqueror of second seed Phil Mickelson at the same stage last year.
Harrington considered not making the long trip, but had a spring in his step as he walked to the second tee.
"Not bad, was it?" he said.
The greenkeeping staff at La Costa near San Diego had done a remarkable job in getting the course playable.
Fairways had been turned into lakes by yesterday's real deluge, but although preferred lies were in operation, to be able to start on time surprised many.
Colin Montgomerie, also with unhappy memories of the event, halved the first three holes against German Alex Cejka.
The Scot, heckled last year as he lost his opening match to Scott McCarron, had to make a seven-foot putt on the short second after pulling his tee shot into a bunker, before the 575-yard third, playing downwind, was halved in birdie fours.