The World Golf Championship got under way in sunshine at Mount Juliet, Kilkenny, this morning, with American Chris DiMarco the early pace-setter.
He made the most progess of the early starters as he posted three birdies in the opening holes.
The 65-strong field in the $5.5 million event, one of the richest events in world golf, boasts 49 of the world's top 50 players, headed up the game's dominant force, Tiger Woods.
Woods has made many visits to Ireland in recent years, largely as part of his preparations for the Open, but this will be the world number one's first competitive appearance in this country.
The privilege, and some might argue distraction, of playing alongside Woods for the opening two rounds rests with Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who is also the touring professional for Mount Juliet.
The Dubliner and world number eight commands enough attention of his own on the fairways these days, but put him alongside Woods and you create a potentially mouthwatering spectacle for the 25,000 spectators (per day) who are expected to descend on the Kilkenny estate over the next four days. The pair set off at 12.40 p.m.
World Golf Championships, of which there are four each season, are a relatively new concept that emerged in 1999. Yesterday it had been suggested this event has not grabbed the public's attention quite as expected, given that all concerned have their sights set on next week's Ryder Cup at the Belfry.
Woods, however, did not see it like that: "It's not quite like a Major Championship obviously from the historical perspective, but having the field the way it is, it definitely gets your juices flowing, because you're playing against the same, best guys you would in a Major".