Eamonn Darcy produced an exemplary back nine in four-under 31 on the opening morning of the Murphy's Irish Open at Fota Island that swept him to the top of the leaderboard.
The veteran Irishman has illustrious company with none other than defending champion Colin Montgomerie taking a share of the early lead.
Starting from the 10th, Darcy produced back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th, picked up another at the 15th before sealing the nine with a birdie four at the 18th.
Montgomerie made his intentions clear from the outset with a birdie at the 10th (he too started on the back nine) and from there reached the turn in two-under 33. He went on to birdie the first and the third.
In search of his fourth Irish Open, the slimmed down Scot demonstrated his hunger to repeat last year's result and successfully defend his title, just like he did at Druids Glen in 1996 and 1997.
Since then, Darcy and Montgomerie have been joined by Scotland's Raymond Russell and Sweden's Joakim Haeggman at the top of the leaderboard as they embark on their back nines.
There was good news for Ireland's two newest recruits to the paid ranks as Graeme McDowell and Michael Hoey were both on the right side of par.
McDowell is playing in just his second event as a professional and found himself one-under after 11 holes.
Hoey, who turned pro after the US Masters earlier this year, reached the turn in level par despite letting a couple of missed chances go astray on greens.
Darren Clarke clawed his way back to level par after a poor opening nine by his lofty standards. This year's English Open champion turned in two-over 37 before making amends with birdies at the first and third, his 10th and 12th.