The WGC - Dell Technologies Match Play never fails to produce and it did not let us down on day one with shocks, comebacks and more than a little eccentricity.
Here, we take a look at the three biggest stories of day one.
Bernd makes toast of the champ
It may not have been pretty but Bernd Wiesberger produced the performance of the day to take down World Number One Dustin Johnson.
If you had told the Austrian this morning that a two over total through 17 holes would have been good enough to beat the man who won this event without ever trailing last season, he probably would not have believed you, but that's match play.
Wiesberger is one of the European Tour's most consistent stars but before his play-off victory at the Shenzhen International last season, he did not have the best record in tight situations - losing his three previous play-offs, with his three wins before China all being by three shots or more.
This grinding, hard-fought victory proved he has the toughness as well as the game to beat the best and if he lifts the trophy on Sunday, he may well get to prove that again in Paris.
"I thought it was the easiest game I could have," he said. "I'm the underdog playing with the defending champion, so it was just try to go out there and see what happens.
"We both didn't have a great day, obviously, as you can see on the card. He gave away a couple of holes quite unexpectedly. You've still got to make the par when your opponent makes the bogey."
Rory comeback falls just short
Rory McIlroy enters most tournaments among the favourites due to his incredible talent and sheer number of victories but after a first win in 18 months at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, the expectations were even higher.
A run of five birdies in six holes with a reheated putting stroke suggested the four-time Major champion was back to his very best at Bay Hill, so when he fell five down after 11 holes against Peter Uihlein on Wednesday, the shock could be felt all around Austin Country Club.
At five down with five to play the headlines were already being written of a total-hammering for the Northern Irishman and then he did something very McIlroy-like: he made three birdies in a row to take his total to five after gains on the 12th and 13th.
A 2 and 1 loss may be the same as a 5 and 4 one on the Group 6 table, but it would be no surprise if the psychological boost helps McIlroy to glory on Sunday.
"I made him earn it at least. I made the scoreline a little more respectable," he said. "I just came away a little flat. I didn't really necessarily play badly, he played pretty well. I made a run at him at the end, but it was a little too late.
"Forget it, go on to tomorrow. Obviously it's out of my control now. So I've just got to win my next two matches and hopefully the draw works in my favour."
I went to the putter stash in my office and pulled out the @RyderCupEurope #Medinah putter for this weeks @DellMatchPlay in Austin Texas.. if there is a putter that can get the juices flowing it’s this baby... Lets be doing this.. I want to play this years @TheMasters pic.twitter.com/MEzrUuirRA
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) March 19, 2018
Poulter putting the old bag back together
When the draw was made on Monday evening there was a match that jumped straight off the page in Group 9 - Fleetwood v Poulter.
The wily veteran v The newly-established star. Englishman v Englishman. One the way up v On the way back.
On recent form Fleetwood should be the favourite but Poulter's match play prowess is renowned and he took his younger opponent down 3 and 2 with a little help from a not-so secret weapon.
Prolific Tweeter Poulter took to social media on Monday to announce he had been through the "putter stash" and pulled out the club with which he made those five famous birdies at Medinah. The short stick that produced the fist-pumping, eye-bulging hour that prompted the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history.
Is it all in the mind or all in the putter?
"I'm happy with the win," said Poulter. "A little practise with this putter, it needs to kick in, needs to warm up a little bit.
"I'm trying to do something simple by putting something back in my hands which I know has got a decent track record. I know at times I've holed great putts with it. Hopefully I can get the juices going enough to hole a few more putts and have a real solid week here."
