On a day where a number of players faltered in the closing stages of their rounds – KJ Choi and Darren Clarke to name but two – McEvoy kept his composure magnificently and finished his memorable day with a 15-foot putt to birdie the last.

McEvoy’s effort was arguably superior to Faldo’s with the changes to the championship course over the last 13 years making it a far tougher proposition.

It could have been even better for McEvoy had he not dropped his only shot of the day on the par four 12th or left his birdie putt on 17 short by a whisker.

It was a good day for the qualifying school graduates, with Scotland’s Steven O’Hara, McEvoy’s Walker Cup team-mate from 2001, finishing on four under, with the more experienced duo of England’s Barry Lane and Irishman Padraig Harrington in the pack one shot further back.

But for the likes of Clarke and Nick Faldo, today was a frustration.

The Northern Irishman was arguably the form player heading into the tournament after his fourth place at the Nedbank Challenge last week and was beginning to look dangerous as he moved smoothly onto four under par after 10 holes.

But all that momentum unravelled on the closing holes.

Into the trees off the tee on 13, Clarke saved par but bogeys on the 12th and 14th dropped him back to finish two under, level with, amongst others, former champions Jose Maria Olazabal (2001) and Fredrik Jacobson (2002).

While hardly a total to set the record books alight, Jacobson believes a 68 is enough to remain firmly in the hunt.

“I am quite happy. I had a tough start, thought I played all right but didn’t make any of the chances I had in the beginning,” he said.

“It didn’t happen, but then suddenly I made a bunker shot and a putt from 50 feet and that got me back into it a little bit.

“I think I am in a good position now. It was nice to get it down to a couple under.”

Olazabal had to battle hard for his 68 after a double bogey on the 10th, his opening hole.

“The start was pretty bad. I managed to get it back, but I am still lacking consistency,” said Olazabal, who has begun work on redesigning his swing.

“I can hit a few good shots but all of a sudden I hit too many bad ones in a row. That is what I must get rid of.

“I am really pleased, don’t get me wrong. They have lengthened the golf course a bit and made a much tougher test, so anything under par you must be happy with.”

Faldo cut a frustrated figure after his 69.

The 46-year-old, without a tour victory in six years, made a promising start in Fanling, making birdies at the first two holes before struggling on a cloudless, warm but breezy day.

“It was messy. I just made a few mistakes – tactical, club selection errors,” he said.

“It was a very good start, then I lost the momentum and was up and down. I didn’t take the opportunities when I should, messed up on a couple.

“The course is very good, in great shape and it’s tricky. A breeze is blowing and with this clear sky you can’t see which way it’s going and that is very tough.”