It was late in the afternoon and the leaderboard was already congested, but with that air of inevitability he possesses, the game¿s chief protagonist Tiger Woods muscled his way passed the rest to command a one shot lead in the WGC - American Express Championship at Mount Juliet today.
Playing alongside the venue's touring professional Padraig Harrington and a sea of fans seeking a glimpse of their idols, Woods opened the $5.5million event with a clinical seven-under par 65.
"I felt I hit the ball really well today," explained Woods who had just played his first competitive round with a new set of Nike irons.
As for the course, and the greens in particular, the 26-year-old was more than complimentary: "These are some of the best greens I've played on all year and I include the Majors in that."
After finishing his bogey free round, Woods was quizzed over who got the loudest cheers from the galleries out there between Harrington and himself. He grinned and replied: "When Padraig made birdie they were a little louder."
The Dubliner refused to be distracted and stuck to his task despite not `flying with too much confidence of late' to card a fine 69. Gone are the days when Harrington could have been forgiven for being overwhelmed in such pressured situations. No, the world number eight has earned the right to be considered among the upper echelons of the game.
"The atmosphere was great, both of us were cheered from tee to green and I was comfortable with the situation," said Harrington. "It's a great day for Irish golf, the golf course is just phenomenal, the scoring was so good because the greens are so good."
As you might expect after shooting 65, Woods was in good humour when taking his press conference. One suggestion from the floor questioned Woods' motivation in a team situation like next week's Ryder Cup as opposed to playing for himself like this week.
With cutting authority and wit Woods simply replied: "I can give you a million good reasons," referring to the $1million first prize.
"I'm not saying the Ryder Cup is not important to me, of course it is, but I have to focus on this event, it's a big event. Any time you get a chance to play against the best players, that's a rush because it doesn't happen too often because of our different schedules. You have to remember the Ryder Cup is a completely different animal," concluded Woods.
The strength and depth of the field at Mount Juliet (49 of the world's top 50) is illustrated aptly by the chasing pack. Sharing second on six-under is the 2001 USPGA Champion David Toms and one of the US Tour's form horses of late, Steve Lowery.
Tucked in one shot further behind is the reigning European number one Retief Goosen, world number nine Vijay Singh and the defending champion from 2000, Canada's Mike Weir. They were joined by American Chris Di Marco and England's Gary Evans.
Earlier Darren Clarke's misery continued, ironically, on these greens which have received so much praise. The burly Tyroneman played alongside the mercurial talent of the world number two Phil Mickelson who shot a 70. Clarke three-putted the first and final greens, then added to his woes in between with three bogeys in a row from the seventh. It all added up to a poor opening 75.
Clarke is one of the select few to have won a world event since their inception in 1999 and did so in the boldest of fashions. The 34-year-old claimed the Accenture World Matchplay in California two years ago by defeating the then number one and two in the world, David Duval in the semi-final and Woods in the final.
However, if Clarke is to relive any former glory this week, he must do so from the worst possible position, in a share of the 64th and second to last.
Of the other European Ryder Cup players, Niclas Fasth finished the best on four-under. Sergio Garcia finished three-under alongside Harrington while experienced campaigners Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer are level, as is Thomas Bjorn.
Today was a masterclass from the best player in the world with his new irons. What made it all the more enjoyable was how his playing partner looked as though he belonged in such esteemed company on a Jack Nicklaus designed course worthy of anywhere in the world.