Rory McIlroy has left Danny Willett trailing in his wake since they were team-mates at the 2007 Walker Cup - but on Thursday at Wentworth it was different. Very different.
McIlroy, back playing in Europe after his incredible first PGA Tour win earlier this month, managed only a three-over-par 74 at the start of the BMW PGA Championship.
Willett, on the other hand, marked his debut in the European Tour's star-studded showpiece event with a nine-birdie, six-under-par 65 to set the clubhouse target.
And in bright news for New Zealander youngster Danny Lee, who has struggled since his much-hyped switch to the professional ranks last year, he is right in the mix after the first round.
Lee, working under a new coach, made two birdies and an eagle in his 68 to be in a tie for seventh, while countryman Mark Brown didn't fare so well with a one-over 72.
This on a day when world No.3 Lee Westwood and defending champion Paul Casey shot 70s, Padraig Harrington 71, three-time winner Colin Montgomerie a 73 and Ian Poulter an error-strewn 78.
As for Ernie Els, the man whose redesign of the par-five 18th with club owner Richard Caring has caused such a stir, he was among those who went in the controversial new ditch in front of the green.
Els was joint leader at the time - Willett had still to birdie the last three holes - but despite taking a bogey six and throwing a second ball into the water in annoyance, the South African soon realised a 69 had kept his title hopes very much alive.
Asked to describe Willett, a 22-year-old vicar's son, McIlroy replied: "Confident, bouncy - and a good lad."
Both were ranked No.1 in the world for a spell as amateurs, but now 119 places separate them as professionals, with McIlroy ninth and Willett 128th.
The Northern Irishman, one year younger than Willett, has won on both sides of the Atlantic, while Willett has yet to register a top-three finish.
This would be some week to change that. First prize is over 637,000 pounds and it comes with a five-year European Tour exemption, plus a place in July's Open Championship at St Andrews.
By his own admission 'a bit hot-headed, fairly giddy all the time', Willett credits experienced caddie Malcolm Mason - he used to be on Sam Torrance's bag - for pulling the reins in on him.
As for the comparison with McIlroy, the former English amateur champion said: "There are different ways to look at it.
"It took Rory probably a year and a bit to get his first win (in Dubai early last season). I've been out a little bit longer now, but I just need to really concentrate on what I'm doing and hopefully the door and the opportunities will come up for me."
Being a newcomer to the course may have helped in the sense of not being distracted by all the changes. Willett birdied five of the first eight holes and then produced his storming finish.
At the 539-yard 18th, even with the tee moved forward around 20 yards, he decided he was not going for the green in two like Els and then hit an 89-yard pitch to three feet.
By the time more than 100 players had completed the 18th, there was still only one eagle - a four-iron to 15 feet by