Rory McIlroy may have had a "reset" in the last few weeks but he showed no signs of rust as he carded an impressive 64 to be right in the mix after the first day of the Genesis Scottish Open.
The Northern Irishman came in search of a second consecutive Rolex Series title off the back of five top tens but revealed he had played just two rounds of golf since hitting his last competitive shot at the Travelers Championship on June 25.
The rest clearly did him some good as he made five birdies in his first seven holes at The Renaissance Club on the way to carding a six-under total at the start of what is sure to be a hectic fortnight.
Next week he returns to Royal Liverpool - scene of his Open Championship triumph in 2014 - for the final Major Championship of the season and a successful week on links could prove to be the perfect preparation.
"It was a reset," he said of his recent break. "I didn't touch my clubs for ten days after the Travelers. Before the Pro-Am yesterday I had only played two rounds of golf and had two practice sessions. I took a little bit of time away.
"But I've got some really good feelings in my swing that I think are quite consistent and even if I do take a bit of time away, I feel really comfortable getting back into it.
"It was a nice reset but after today it feels like I've sort of come back where I left off.
"My mind is pretty much on this week. I got myself off to a great start. I'd love to win the Scottish Open. That's a massive deal in its own right and what that could give me going into the summer in terms of The Open Championship next week.
"But thinking ahead to FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai and all that, it's an important week. So I'm focused on this week and it's great that by playing this week, I should be getting a little bit more prepared for links golf again next week as well."
The Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex leader made a two-putt birdie on the par-five tenth and then holed from around 20 feet on the 12th and 13th.
A 41-foot putt on the 15th was followed by an up-and-down birdie on the par-five next and, while McIlroy bogeyed the 17th and second, he eagled the par-five third with a 30-footer from off the green after a 360-yard drive and made the most of the short par-four fifth after leaving himself a flick in.
"It was pretty comfortable," he said. "I wouldn't say it was easy.
"Got off to a great start, holed some really nice putts early on and that sort of got my eye in a little bit.
"I feel like I'm coming in here playing really good golf and I think producing good results and getting myself up in contention. Just really trying to do the same things and trying to adapt a little bit to the different conditions we're going to face over the next couple of weeks."
