Ian Poulter fired a brilliant course-record 61 to claim a three-shot lead after the first round of the Italian Open in Rome today.
Poulter came to the last two holes needing two birdies to card the first ever 59 on the European Tour, but narrowly missed with his long-range efforts.
The 26-year-old's 11-under-par effort was still good enough for a three-shot lead over Miles Tunnicliff and Denmark's Anders Hansen and puts him in pole position to regain the title he won two years ago.
"I thought a 59 was definitely on," said Poulter. "I made a good birdie on the ninth to be six under and thought `Wouldn't it be great to see my mug all over the back pages with 59 next to it?'.
"But I've never been as nervous as I was standing on the 17th tee trying to get a good drive away - not even in the two tournaments I've won - and unfortunately I didn't."
Poulter pushed his drive to the right of the fairway on the 518-yard par five and found his route to the green blocked by trees.
"Even Seve couldn't get it on the green from there," he added. His third shot then finished 30 feet from the hole and, after charging his birdie attempt five feet past, he did well to hole for par.
"I had four putters in my bag until 15 minutes before I teed off today and eventually decided to use one of the two I borrowed from Justin Rose's locker.
This event is the final chance for players to climb into the top 115 on the Order of Merit and secure their card for next season, and England's Philip Golding gave his hopes of avoiding an amazing 16th trip to the qualifying school a boost with his opening 66.
That was good enough for a six-way share of fourth place - along with Paul Lawrie, Patrik Sjoland, Emanuele Canonica, Gary Orr and Jarrod Moseley - and gives the 40-year-old a platform to secure the top-10 finish he probably needs to move from 122nd in the money list.
At the other end of the Order of Merit, a first-round 71 left Ireland's Padraig Harrington with plenty to do to achieve the top-four finish he needs to overhaul Retief Goosen. Harrington, who cancelled a planned holiday in Marbella this week in his attempt to become the European number one, struggled with his putting and said:
"I missed a few chances early on and let it get to me. My expectations were high, and I made it hard on myself. I was probably trying a bit too hard.
"I've left myself plenty to do for sure. But there 54 holes to go, I hope, and a lot of the tournament left," concluded Harrington who carded the same score as Portrush rookie Graeme McDowell.
PA