Adam Scott shares the lead after shooting a four-under-par 67 to open his Australian Masters title defence at Royal Melbourne.
Coming off his Australian PGA Championship victory on Sunday, world No.2 Scott is tied with 23-year-old German Max Kieffer who is also back in the clubhouse.
Scott, the US Masters champion, briefly held the lead outright after making four consecutive birdies but a bogey on his second last hole saw him slip back.
The Queenslander immediately headed to the practice range after his round, although he said he was satisfied with his score.
"I'm happy with the round but I haven't done much practice since last week so I thought I'd try and sneak a few balls in," Scott said.
"A 67 around here is a good score; it was a bit of a slow finish but it was a good way to open up."
Victorian Jarrod Lyle has made an emotional return to professional tournament golf after recently winning a second battle with leukaemia.
Watched by a large gallery, Lyle was one-under after five holes.
Little-known Victorian Anthony Brown briefly held the lead after a blazing start left him five-under after five holes but he had slipped back to three-under by the turn.
Former US PGA Tour players Andre Stolz and Stephen Leaney were among a large group of golfers tied at two-under.
Kieffer is making his first trip to Australia and his quest is being assisted by his Australian caddy Graeme Heinrich.
American world No.8 Matt Kuchar has shot an even-par 71.
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