Sepp Straka was among four players tied for the lead at six under par after the opening round of the Scottish Open on Thursday, as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy stayed within striking distance.
Nico Echavarria, Jake Knapp and Victor Perez also shared the lead at the Renaissance Club as glorious conditions made for a day of low scoring on Scotland's east coast.
World number one Scheffler made a dream start when he eagled the 10th, his first hole for the day.
The USPGA champion picked up birdies at the 16th, third and seventh but dropped shots at the fourth and sixth slowed his progress in a three-under round of 67.
McIlroy is seeking to get back in the groove ahead of his homecoming to Northern Ireland next week for the British Open at Royal Portrush.
Since ending his 11-year wait to win a major at the Masters in April, the world number two has struggled and is hoping a couple of weeks break will leave him refreshed for the final major of the season.
McIlroy looked set for a disappointing start on the venue where he won in 2023, but birdied his last three holes to finish on two under.
"I definitely finished the round better than I started it," said McIlroy.
Defending champion Robert MacIntyre is also on two under par, alongside British Open champion Xander Schauffele.