Darren Clarke continued his recent revival with a five under par 66 when the 3 Irish Open began at Killarney on Thursday.
But Ireland's Damien McGrane out-scored him.
McGrane also outclassed illustrious compatriots Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell by three and five shots respectively, while Rory McIlroy shot 67.
Former Ryder Cup star David Howell emerged from the wilderness with a seven-under-par 64 in the first round of the 3 Irish Open.
Five birdies and then an eagle on the 519-yard 16th lifted Howell into a one-stroke lead over McGrane and Australian left-hander Richard Green.
Last year's runner-up Robert Rock - he actually took the first prize of over £400,000 because the winner was amateur Shane Lowry - also handed in a 65, but was then disqualified for a scorecard mix-up.
With talk of a possible 59 - something never achieved on the European Tour - the course held up well given that there was no more than a breeze.
Clarke, continuing a recent revival which might yet force cup captain Colin Montgomerie to find another vice-captain, commented: "I was wrong in my initial assessment.
"This morning it would have been impossible to get Killarney playing any easier. Yes the guys will get more familiar with it, but there's so many places that they can put the pins that we just can't get at."
McIlroy, at eighth in the world the highest-ranked player on view, made eight birdies, but also threw in four bogeys and commented: "It's not as easy as everyone thinks it is.
"There's better courses in Ireland definitely, but if they don't want to have the Irish Open that's the way it goes."
Harrington did not drop a shot, but admitted his keenness to end almost two years without a win is making him more tense than he would like to be.
"Sometimes you find it very hard to win and then all of a sudden the floodgates open."
He should know - his first major title in 2007 was quickly followed by two more.
McDowell, hoping for the same thing after capturing the US open last month, stated: "I just need to sharpen up across the board. I said someone would go super low, but you can defend this course by hiding the pins."
© Press Association