Jason Day's desire to be a dominant world No.1 has ensured he continued his hot form in the opening round of the US PGA tour's Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
After watching world No.3 Rory McIlroy and No.2 Jordan Spieth win events in the past fortnight, Day went out on Thursday (US time) looking to ensure the golf world remembered he's still the top dog.
Going into the week with an incredible seven tournament wins in 17 starts, Day shot a six-under 66, which vaulted him into a tie for third.
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It left him just two behind American Dustin Johnson, who shot an impressive eight-under 64 in the morning wave, posting 10 birdies and just two bogeys
American Brendan Steele holed out for eagle on the last to be second alone with a 65.
Spieth (70) and McIlroy (71) were out in the early wave after failing to keep pace with Johnson, leaving Day the chance to make his statement in the afternoon.
"I've been saying that I've been wanting to extend that lead from world No.1 to No. 2, and then Jordan and Rory have done phenomenal jobs clawing back," Day said.
"So I've still got to kind of put the foot down and really just work as hard as I can to really try and extend that.
"That's the biggest thing for me is just really understand that, as long as I try and improve that lead, I'm going to focus on the right things and do the right things, and hopefully that will, in the long run, turn into more wins."
Despite being a member at the course and living nearby, Day's previous form in the tournament had left a lot to be desired, with a best finish of 27th and an above-par scoring average.
His 66 marked his lowest score in his 23 rounds in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event.
"I just sucked," Day said, not wanting to make excuses about his past efforts.
"Mr Nicklaus told me earlier in the week, 'Just play within yourself. Being patient is key out here.' And when you see an eight under, it's hard to be patient.
"But I'm pleased because today I hit it nice from tee to green, gave myself opportunities on the greens and then also capitalised on those. Now three more days to go."
Australian teenager Ryan Ruffels, who needs a big week to set up his future, rebounded from a sloppy start with a tidy 67 to be tied eighth.
Sitting two over through six holes, Ruffels reeled off seven birdies, with two chip-ins, to rocket into contention.
Geoff Ogilvy wound back the clock with a 68 to be in a tie for 13th, while Marc Leishman and John Senden are five off the pace after rounds of 69, and Stuart Appleby found two birdies and an eagle in his last five holes for a 70.
Matt Jones, Aaron Baddeley and Nathan Holman finished at one under, while Rod Pampling, a late inclusion into the event, shot 72.
Steven Bowditch (77) rounds out the Australian tilt.
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