Chris Doak's relaxed approach to the game continued to reap its rewards as the in-form Greenock pro surged into the early lead in the £45,000 Northern Open at Spey Valley in Aviemore.
On a first day of fluctuating fortunes for the 142-strong field, which had Campbell Elliott celebrating an ace at the short 6th and Kenny Glen cursing a ghastly 15 at the seventh, Doak carved out a tidy four-under 68 as his bid for a third consecutive Order of Merit win on the Tartan Tour got off to a purposeful start.
The 30-year-old, with 36-hole wins at Craigielaw and Barassie already this season, landed the Northern Open title in 2005, the same year he was crowned the Scottish PGA's No.1, but after a dip in form last season Doak has decided to re-focus.
"I tried to juggle Challenge Tour and Tartan Tour last year and it didn't really happen for me," said Doak, who illuminated his round with a 25-foot putt for an eagle-three on the 17th.
"I sat down over the winter and went over where my career was going. I had a few demons to deal with and I used to let bad shots really get to me which really harmed my game. I've matured over the past few months and I feel I can now deal with things better."
Dean Robertson, the former Italian Open and Scottish PGA champion, opened his challenge with a three-under 69 to share second with Dunblane's Ewan Davie while Jason McCreadie, a two-time winner of the Northern Open, posted a 70.
A shot further back was Elliott, the 47-year-old captain of the Scottish PGA, who rolled back the years with a fine 71 which included the eighth hole-in-one of his career - a five-iron at the 195-yard sixth.
"I've not had a hole-in-one for about 15 years so it was a nice highlight to a good day," said the former European Tour player.
Title-holder Murray Urquhart also carded a 71 as did Andrew Oldcorn, the 2001 PGA champion. Greig Hutcheon, last year's Tartan Tour No.1, returned a 72.
The Northern Open is one of 12 counting events of the Order of Merit and the race for the Srixon PGA Play-Offs, which is being staged at Royal Liverpool in October. First round scores here.