Thirteenth Beach member Andrew Martin has carded an extraordinary closing nine of seven-under 29 to claim a share of the lead after the opening round of the men's Vic Open.
The 38-year-old struggled with his driver but more than made up for it with a red-hot putter at the links layout on Thursday.
His round of seven-under 65 included a run of eight consecutive birdies and was good enough for a share of the lead with little-known fellow Australian Aiden Didone.
By virture of a top-three finish on last year's Australasian Tour Order of Merit, Martin gained a DP World Tour card for 2024, although his level of eligibility didn't get him into the big early-season events in the Middle East which have smaller fields.
As a resident of nearby Ocean Grove and a long-time member at Thirteenth Beach, Martin always has high expectations at the Vic Open.
That only contributed to his frustration at being so wayward off the tee on a benign morning on Thursday which was conducive to low scoring.
"I drove it very badly but the putter saved me," said Martin.
"Probably more it being your home track, it's frustrating when you drive it like that.
"Once I got on the green it was fine but with the driver, it's just the one club that's been the issue.
"Overall I'm very happy - it's just very frustrating off the tee."
The only other time Martin could recall breaking 30 for nine holes in a tournament was when he won the TPS Sydney at Bonnie Doon in 2021, a round that included a remarkable four eagles in the space of seven holes.
Didone, 26, shot his 65 in the more difficult afternoon conditions as the wind picked up.
He has yet to record a top-10 finish on the Australasian Tour.
Australians Todd Sinnott and DJ Loypur shared third spot at six-under 66.
Among a big group tied for fifth at Thirteenth Beach were six-time European Tour winner Brett Rumford and amateurs Adam Stojanovic and Billy Dowling.
Also on 67 was 2022 Australian PGA champion Jed Morgan, who lost his LIV Golf card for this year and will instead play mostly on the Asian Tour.
Pre-tournament favourite Kazuma Kobori from New Zealand, who is bidding to become the first man since Robert Allenby in 2005 to win three straight Australasian PGA Tour events, started solidly with a four-under 68.
