Padraig Harrington trails leader Eduardo Romero by just one shot in Carnoustie after the opening round of the Dunhill Links Championship today.
Harrington and Nic Lawrence both produced their six-under-par rounds at Carnoustie on a breezy day of sunshine on the Fife coastline.
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn was a further stroke back in fourth place on 67 with Spaniard Santiago Luna - also at Carnoustie.
Harrington, the world number nine, holed out with a sand wedge from 112 yards for an eagle-two at Carnoustie's par-four third on his way to a 66.
The 31-year-old Dubliner, who lies third on the European order of merit, also collected five birdies and a bogey-five at the fourth to maintain the consistent form he has displayed for most of the year.
"Carnoustie was a lovely course to play today," said Harrington.
"It is obviously a tough golf course but they have set it up nicely for this week. We are not falling off the back of the tee boxes - as we were in our amateur days - and the pin positions were generous."
Ireland's other Ryder Cup heroes Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley were also in action.
McGinley, also playing Carnoustie, could only manage a one-over par 73 while Clarke, playing at Kingsbarn finished level.
Rookie Graeme McDowell was the only other Irish player to break par with a one-under 71 at St Andrew's as both veterans Des Smyth and Philip Walton struggled.
Walton carded a three over at Carnoustie with Smyth finishing on six over par at Kingsbarn.