Costantino Rocca defied 40mph winds to make an excellent start in his bid for a second North West of Ireland Open title at a windswept Ballyliffin.
Rocca's victory in Galway three years ago was his fifth and last European Tour title, and the Italian has struggled to regain such form since.
He finished a lowly 152nd on the Order of Merit the following year and 74th last season, and has a best finish of joint 45th to his credit so far in 2002.
But the 45-year-old, who famously beat Tiger Woods in the Ryder Cup at Valderrama in 1997, defied the gusting winds and heavy rain to post a superb one under par 71 and set the clubhouse target.
Rocca adapted to the conditions superbly, using all the shot-making skills which helped him finish runner-up in the Open championship at St Andrews in 1995 after a play-off with John Daly, and eighth at Birkdale in 1998.
At one stage he was the only player under par from the 77 morning starters and would have set an even more impressive score and new course record if not for dropping three shots in his last four holes.
Starting at the 10th, Rocca went to the turn in one under with birdies at the 11th and 12th and a bogey at the 15th, and moved three clear of the field with a hat-trick of birdies from the second.
Dropped shots at the sixth, seventh and ninth meant he had to settle for a 71, but playing partner Andrew Coltart was full of admiration for his efforts.
"It was very great watching him," said Coltart, who carded a four over 76 while the third member of the group, Andrew Oldcorn, signed for a 77.
"He has the great knack of how to play in those conditions. You never play a full shot, it's all punches and three-quarter shots with no follow-through.
"That's the great thing about this kind of golf. You have to be able to use your imagination and summon up all kinds of shots.
"It makes it a lot more interesting, if very tiring."
John Dignam, Gary Murphy and Francis Howley, all level par,
With Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley all teeing off at the US PGA in Hazeltine later this afternoon, the Irish challenge is currently headed by John Dignam, Gary Murphy and Francis Howley, all level par after three holes.