Australia's Robert Allenby is in a share for the lead after the first round of the Britsh Golf Open at a wet and windy Royal Birkdale.
He is carded at 1 under par 69 to be level with US Open runner up Rocco Mediate and Graeme McDowell.
Allenby, who battled back from being three over at the turn, said he had been briefed what to expect by compatriot Ian Baker-Finch, the last Australian to win at Royal Birkdale in 1991.
"All I wanted to do was control the ball, keep it in play and keep mistakes to the minimum."
"I watched what was going on this morning on television and that is an added bonus of going out at the Open in the afternoon," he added.
Aussies Greg Norman and Adam Scott are only one shot from the lead at even par 70.
Stuart Appleby is 2 over, while world number four Geoff Ogilvy has struggled to a 7 over 77.
Playing in his 26th Open at the age of 53, two-times former winner Norman had two birdies to offset two bogeys for a share of fourth place, but he insisted he would not be getting carried away with his chances of winning.
"I'm still going to be very low key about it - keep my expectations in check and just enjoy it," he said.
A storm wreaked havoc with early starters - the big names in trouble included Ernie Els and Vijay Singh with 80 and Phil Mickelson 79.
All three leaders ducked under par by birdieing the final two holes.