There was no sign of a Ryder Cup hangover for Stephen Gallacher as he began his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with a four-under-par 68 at Carnoustie.
The 39-year-old, whose round was lit up by eagles on the par 5 12th and 14th, finished the day just outside the top 10.
His European team-mate Rory McIlory admitted he felt flat on the course after the excitement surrounding last week’s match against the United States at Gleneagles, but Gallacher enjoyed getting back to work.
He said: “I like coming here, if it was any other place I wouldn’t have played as Carnoustie is one of my favourite courses.
“I played lovely, I was a bit tired at the end but happy. I only played two holes in practice for this week.
“I thought the best preparation for this was just to go to my bed early for three nights given how draining it was last week.
“The weather is supposed to be shocking on Friday but sometimes it misses. I thought the pin positions were a bit more generous than usual but that is perhaps with tomorrow in mind.”
Richie Ramsay continued his fine recent form with a three-under-par 68 at Carnoustie.
The Aberdonian felt the benefits on the course from a more active and healthier lifestyle away from it.
He said: “I am trying to do a little bit every day. I have lost a little bit of weight and I am slightly stronger than I used to be. Going to the gym helps in terms of attitude and the feel-good factor helps confidence. That helps me to remain patient on the golf course when things aren’t going well.
“The trousers I have on today used to be quite tight, they are my Judgement Trousers. If I can get in to them then I know I am doing all right.”
Fellow Aberdonian Paul Lawrie also made a promising start to the tournament with a three-under-par 69 at Kingsbarns but he was left to rue some missed opportunities on the closing stretch.
He said: “I missed a few putts and finished with two three-putts which leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
“It really should have been five or six under but three under is all right.
“As has been the case for the while, it should have been a bit less but it is a decent start.”
Peterhead’s Jamie McLeary is the leading Scot after the opening round thanks to a five-under-par 67 at Kingsbarns.
McLeary has struggled for form on the European Tour since graduating from the Challenge Tour last year but the 33-year-old is hoping to make home advantage count this week.
He said: “I have just been trying to play too well. This week I know on these courses, I don’t have to play amazingly well. I just need to hit to certain spots on the greens and that was what I did.
“I have been trying to shoot amazing scores every day instead of just trying for decent scores. Hopefully this bodes well for the week.”