The Bolton-born pro, whose last of two tour victories came six years ago, enjoyed eight birdies in 12 holes from the third - including five in a row from the 10th - in a supremely accurate display.

Oldcorn’s performance eclipsed what at one stage looked like being a record-breaking day for Ulsterman Clarke.

The 32-year-old world number nine burst out of the stalls with six straight birdies from the 10th his first and looked set to threaten Bernhard Langer’s 17-year-old course record of 62.

But Clarke lost his momentum with a series of nine pars and then bogeyed the seventh, finishing with a five-under 67.

It was still a welcome show of form for the Ulsterman after his worrying slide at the US Masters two weeks ago at Augusta, where after moving up to second during his third round fell away badly for an eventual finish of 24th.

Two shots off the pace were Scotsman Andrew Raitt and Frenchman Jean-Francois Remesy. Raitt, 31, burst into life on the 9th, from where he had six birdies in seven holes to move to six under with three holes to play.

Remesy meanwhile had earlier posted a 66, including seven birdies to claim the early clubhouse lead.

Another Scot, Graham Rankin, lay a shot further behind thanks to a five-under round of 67. Rankin made his first cut in nine attempts this season in Morocco last week, and he thrived on the back nine today, picking up strokes on the 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th and 18th.

The clear skies and gorgeous east coast links also provided a welcome homecoming for Spanish duo Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal.

Both posted 69s in their first tournament this year on European soil after spending the bulk of their winters playing on the US Tour.

After the pair had teed off in successive groups from the 10th, neither could attain much consistency until the front nine, with Garcia claiming an eagle three on the long fifth.