Min Woo Lee fed off huge early-morning galleries to launch his Australian PGA Championship campaign with swagger, only for a surprise Spaniard to steal his thunder.
World No.1162 Joel Moscatel Nachshon carded a flawless eight-under 63 - an equal course record at Royal Queensland on Thursday - to finish the day one shot clear of rising West Australian Lee.
The 25-year-old played with freedom just days after missing a maiden DP World Tour card by one shot in the final stage of qualifying school.
The Spaniard just missed a long birdie putt on the 18th that would have eclipsed Jed Morgan's mark set during his romp to the title in January 2022.
Unperturbed by his near-miss at a European tour spot, Moscatel Nachshon is content to toil on a lower-tier satellite circuit unless he can earn passage with victory at the $2 million Brisbane event.
"It was so fun ... nothing (there was no secret); it was a crazy day, we were so present, enjoying our golf," he said of him and his caddy.
"I know it (the prize) but we still have to play three more days of golf."
Lee made five birdies on his way home to set the early pace and upstage out-of-sorts playing partner Cameron Smith (two-over 73) in front of thousands who braved early-morning rain and wind.
Having recently earned full PGA Tour status, Lee had just as many fans gathered post-round for his autograph as his major-winning rivals.
Active on social media, Lee's catch-cry of "Let Him Cook" has been lapped up by the punters.
"I did see him, took a picture with him ... definitely pretty cool that supporters go to that length," Lee said of a fan wearing a t-shirt embracing the theme.
"I was pretty nervous, which I haven't really felt in a while, before the round.
"But that's good for me; I'd rather not get too comfortable ... I feel I'm good enough to win the tournament and play good wherever now.
"I've had that pressure on me at some tournaments and not been able to capitalise."
There were no smiles from defending champion and tournament favourite Smith, who lamented his inconsistent iron play as he drifted an alarming 10 shots off the pace.
"It was frustrating, upsetting ... I really couldn't get anything going ... just crappy," Smith said.
John Lyras signed for 65 while Adam Scott (66) managed five birdies in a six-hole blitz either side of the turn, then made up two more shots on the final three holes as his tilt to end a nearly four-year title drought grew legs.
He just missed a putt for eagle on the seventh, settling for a birdie after driving off the deck from 270m with precision.
Lucas Herbert also found form to sit level with Scott, Connor Syme, Ryo Hisatsune, Sam Brazel and Connor McKinney all at five-under.
Scott felt he was in career-best form with wedge in hand but warned he'd need plenty more to contend at the course he's been a member of since he was 11.
"Hopefully it sets the tone but if you're not five-under this morning it's going to be a long week to get to 20-under," he said.
"You've got to chip away at it and I'm kind of on par really, for that kind of target, because it's going to get close to that score."
