Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke catapulted their way back into contention of the Murphy's Irish Open with some blistering golf on the third morning.
Early arrivals to the Fota Island venue, still rubbing the sleep from their eyes, were forced to sit up and take note when the first two scores posted were six-under par 65's from the Ulster pair.
However, contrasting emotions were evident once they both walked off the 18th green. McDowell, 22, had launched a six-iron approach from 207 yards out, landing it 20-feet from the flag for an eagle which he duly converted to finish birdie, birdie, eagle.
Clarke was more subdued. He had played an eight-iron into three-feet from 192 yards for eagle after a monster drive, but failing to convert the putt left a sour taste in the mouth. When all is said and done though, he still produced some exemplary iron play in a round containing seven birdies and only one dropped shot at the opening hole.
"Conditions were easy today and it was nice to get out early and play well," explained Clarke who must have a real sense of deja-vu after re-enacting exactly what he did 12 months ago.
In 2001, Clarke had to birdie the last to make the cut, then went on to shoot 65, 64 to eventually finish in the runner-up spot.
Taking advice from Andrew Coltart in the clubhouse last night, McDowell opted to play on his own instead of being accompanied by a playing marker in the opening match. It reaped benefits despite the slow start.
"It was quite strange for the first five or six holes, always being my turn to play," said McDowell who reached the turn in one-under 35 after an eight iron into 15 feet at the third which he holed.
The Portrush sensation still thought he let several chances go astray and felt he had left a couple of shots out on the greens.
"I felt I was rolling the putter well all day but just did not hole enough," said McDowell who felt frustrated his efforts were not being rewarded, that was until he set up the grandstand finish from the 16th.
Although a second birdie came at the 10th he failed to convert on the next five holes despite giving himself chances.
"I was hitting it too good to be only two-under for the day," he explained.
Fortunes then changed as McDowell's caddy and college teammate from the University of Alabama told his man to be patient.
"Craig [Gordon] told be to just be patient," knowing that he was playing well enough to be hitting 16 out of 18 greens in regulation. "Thankfully I got rewarded in the end."
It's worth remembering that this only McDowell's second start as a professional but the composure and strengh of character in his own ability makes him such an exciting prospect.
He made the transition to the paid ranks from a glittering amateur career in America where he signed off as the top ranked individual in the hugely competitive college golf arena.
One thing is for sure, McDowell will not have to play on his own tomorrow. Having matched his elder and, to date, more illustrious counterpart, he could very well be paired with Clarke for the final round.
What a mouth-watering prospect that would be if they find themselves close enough to challenge by the end of today's play.