The 20-year-old Northern Irishman is ranked No.308 in the world, has just one top-10 finish on the Tour and has missed the cut in two of his three events in 2023.

Yet he made eight birdies – including five in his last eight holes – in a bogey-free round at Laguna National Golf Resort Club on Thursday.

"A very good day. I navigated the course well, eight birdies and no bogeys is a nice way to start,” McKibbin told the DP World Tour website.

"I played nicely last week, a few bad holes here and there, so it’s nice to continue that nice form I had last week. Life’s pretty nice if you’re playing well, it’s different if you’re not. I’m enjoying it. I’ve played enough of these events that it feels normal to me now, but it’s great fun."

McKibbin, who hails from the same part of Northern Ireland as Rory McIlroy and regularly plays with the World No.1, led by a stroke from four players – Matthieu Pavon of France, Sami Valimaki of Finland and Swedish pair Joakim Lagergren and Simon Forsstrom.

At World No.30, Ryan Fox of New Zealand is the highest-ranked player in the field and opened with an even-par 72.

Dimi Papadatos is the best of the Australian contingent following a two-under round of 70 to sit in a share of 36th, with Louis Dobbelaar and Anthony Quayle a further shot back after matching 71s.