Jason Day believes defending the Arnold Palmer Invitational would be a tribute fit for 'The King', and history says the Australian can do it this week.
Before world No.2 Day claimed a one-shot victory in 2016, Tiger Woods and Matt Every won the US PGA Tour's Bay Hill event in consecutive years - the trend starting in 2012.
Day posted a two-under-par 70 to sit three shots back of co-leaders Matthew Fitzpatrick of England and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo after Thursday's opening round.
The 29-year-old Australian is hopeful of honouring legendary seven-time major champion Palmer, who died in September aged 87.
Palmer was credited with popularising golf during a decorated career during which the charismatic American earned the nickname 'The King', winning 62 US PGA Tour titles.
"I think everyone is a little bit more emotional this year because of the passing of Mr Palmer; we're so used to seeing him," Day said on Thursday.
"I feel good about (the title defence) and it would be nice to be able to back it up because I was the last guy to have that congratulatory drink with him.
"That's something that I'll always hold dear to my heart."
Playing in the early morning wave, Queenslander Day braved tough, cold conditions at Orlando golf course that reduced his prodigious length with the driver.
"It was a tough day and I was glad to get it in at two under," Day said.
"It was very chilly this morning, the ball was going at least 20 yards shorter than normal, so anything under par today in the morning was great (scoring)."
Major winner Day was upstaged by 18-year-old prodigy Ryan Ruffels, who fired a 69 to join compatriot Greg Chalmers as the leading Australians in a tie for sixth at three-under.
Victorian Ruffels, battling recently on the US PGA Tour's third-tier Latino America circuit after narrowly missing out on the Web.com Tour playoffs in October, was satisfied with his round at the notoriously difficult Orlando course.
"It's great, the (PGA Tour) is where you want to be eventually; it's nice to be here and even nicer to be playing well," said Ruffels.
Aaron Baddeley (70) joined Day at two-under and a shot further back in a share of 20th was Victorian Marc Leishman (71).
Queenslander Rod Pampling sits in 46th after signing for a 73, while young Aussie Cameron Smith (74) shares 58th with world No.3 Rory McIlroy and a host of others.
Other big names failing to fire on day one included world No.4 Hideki Matsuyama (73) and No.5 Henrik Stenson (75).
Geoff Ogilvy carded a 76 while Australian amateur world No.1 Curtis Luck and Steven Bowditch (79) are languishing near the bottom of the field at seven-over.
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