Ernie Els signalled his intentions for next week's British Open by moving two shots clear of the field in today's rain-disrupted Scottish Open first round.
The British Open champion, rejuvenated following a fortnight's break, reeled off seven birdies for a blemish-free 64 after heavy morning downpours had forced organisers to suspend play for four hours.
Els, who teed off at the par-four 10th, picked up shots at the 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th holes to reach the turn in four-under-par 31. He then birdied the first, sixth and seventh to consolidate his position at the top of the leaderboard as afternoon sunshine finally broke through at the par-71 Loch Lomond course.
Britain's David Howell, who also began at the 10th, carded a five-under-par 66 to climb into second, with compatriot Phillip Price and Australians Peter O'Malley and Terry Price a further stroke back on 67.
Els (33) won four titles in his first five tournaments of the year. Although unable to maintain that form since, he is full of confidence for his British Open title defence at Royal St George's next week.
"I'm very pleased with that round today and I feel I'm quite sharp," said the world number two. "The majors are very important to me at this time of my career and I'm always up for them."
The lengthy rain delay meant half the 156-strong field had not teed off by late afternoon.
Among the late starters were world number eight Phil Mickelson, seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie and twice US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who teed off in the same group.
Olazabal and Montgomerie were both level after three holes, but Mickelson was four over following double-bogeys at the second and third.
Ireland's Darren Clarke carded a first-round two under-par 69 playing alongside Els but the third member of the group, defending champion Eduardo Romero, had to settle for a one-over 72. Gary Murphy shot a respectable one under par 70. Peter Lawrie endured a miserable round and is a long way out of the running on seven over.
On the course, Graeme McDowell is level par after eight holes, Paul McGinley is three over after nine while Ronan Rafferty is finding the going tough on four over after seven.