Ben Ikin hopes to deal better with "the sense of dread" on Friday after his foray into top-level golf went awry at the Queensland PGA Championship in Toowoomba.
The former Queensland five-eighth shot an 11-over round of 81 at the City Golf Club on Thursday, having won an invite as an amateur to tussle with the pros after whittling his handicap down from seven to 1.7 before Christmas.
Ikin bogeyed his first four holes and mixed two birdies with a triple bogey on his way home to sit outright last and 19 shots behind day one leader Ryan Lynch (eight-under).
He didn't let the round spoil his 42nd birthday though and hopes a slice of his childrens' home-made cake helps him handle the occasion better if he finds himself sliding further in the second round.
"I found it really difficult. I couldn't stop my heart from beating outside my chest for first five, six holes," he said.
"Every time I stood over a ball my heart was racing, mind was racing and it was hard to find a sense of calm ... but I'm really glad I took on the challenge."
Lynch started with an eagle and finished with a bogey as he led the charge in the late group with a sizzling 62.
Harrison Endycott and Ben Ferguson - both seven-under - set the morning pace with rounds of 63 to share second place with Nathan Green.
