Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson took full advantage of perfect morning conditions to fire five-under 65s and take a share of the US Open first round lead at Chambers Bay.
On a day when Tiger Woods took another battering, the Swede and the American, both striving for a first major title after several near misses, ended up with a single stroke lead over the rest of the field.
Young American Patrick Reed was solo in second after a 66, with countrymen Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin and amateur Brian Campbell a further stroke back as home golfers dominated the top of the leaderboard.
Masters champion Jordan Spieth struggled early on, but three straight birdies from the 11th spurred him on to a satisfying 68.
Among a large group tied on two under with Spieth were Australian Jason Day, Scotland's Marc Warren and American Jason Dufner.
World number one and tournament favourite Rory McIlroy had less to be pleased about as four bogeys on the day meant he had to settle for a two over 72.
But it was the horror show from fallen great Woods that had many fans gasping in surprise as he carded a 10-over 80 - his worst ever US Open showing and the fourth worst of his professional career.
The 30-year-old American Johnson had six birdies against one bogey in a round that made a mockery of fears that the 7,526-yard monster links-style course south of Seattle would be impossible to tame.
Having taken six months off last year to deal with unspecified "personal issues", the South Carolinian has come close in all four majors, but has fallen agonisingly short of a maiden win.
He had a chance to equal the record low first round score at the US Open with a birdie at the par-three last, but he hit his tee-shot into a tough bunker and failed to get up and down.
"I just made a bad swing on nine and that it was the only bad swing I made all day," Johnson said.
Stenson then joined him on 65 with a monster putt at the last in a round that had seven birdies and two bogeys.
"It was a good day out there for me," he said. "I played as solid as I have played all year and rolled in a couple of putts there on the last two holes.
