On the day that women's professional golf finally came to St Andrews it was only fitting that world number one Lorena Ochoa took pride of place for virtually the entire 15 hours of play.
The 25-year-old Mexican began the Ricoh Women's British Open - the event she hopes will bring her first major title - with a superb six-under-par 67 after teeing off just after 7am.
Ochoa, who has taken over from Annika Sorenstam at the top of the rankings this year, could not hide her delight.
"I love my start," she said. "We are already making history just by being here and on the first day we are trying to enjoy it as much as we can and always have a smile on your face."
It was not difficult for her. The early starters had easily the best of the conditions and Ochoa made hay before the wind picked up strength.
She went to the turn in 33, then pitched to three feet on the 10th, hit an eight-iron even closer at the 15th and two-putted the Road Hole 17th, which for the ladies plays as a 453-yard par five.
"It was a really early wake-up call (5am), but I don't mind that. I was really glad that I took advantage of the nice conditions and now I'm in a good position."
Ochoa held a two-stroke clubhouse lead over Swede Louise Friberg, although out on the course South Korean In-Bee Park had a magical run of four successive birdies from the ninth and with five to play remained in a share of second place.
Loser of a play-off to Australian Karrie Webb at last year's Kraft Nabisco and runner-up again to American Cristie Kerr at the US Women's Open a month ago, Ochoa rated the 67 her best round of the season so far.
Michelle Wie, playing two groups behind, looked as if she might be saying the same when she reached three under after 10.
But the 17-year-old Hawaiian, who incredibly given her profile has not broken 70 for over a year, bogeyed the 11th, 14th and 16th and by three-putting for par on the 17th had to settle for a level-par 73.
Recovering as she still is from a broken wrist that kept her out of action for nearly five months, Wie still saw plenty of positives, however.
"A couple of shots stung a little, but I was playing really well and there was no lasting pain," she said.
"I had a couple of bad bounces and luck has a lot to do on this course. I think I'm pretty close - I feel like my wrist is getting stronger and stronger and it's hurting less and less. I just have to keep my head on and be patient."
Sorenstam was perfectly happy with her one-under 72 in the afternoon and having been sent a "good luck" text message by Tiger Woods she profited from some on the final hole.
The Swede, using the same yardage book that Woods had in his pocket as he won the 2000 and 2005 Open Championships, followed her birdie on the 17th with a drive that landed on Grannie Clarks Wynd crossing the fairway.
The ball bounded into the Valley of Sin just short of the green over 300 yards away and from there Sorenstam two-putted for another birdie.
Asked if it was a deliberate attempt to hit the road she smiled and said: "Oh yeah. I'm very, very thrilled - I thought I played really, really well. I'm excited. So far so good."
