Former world No.1s Adam Scott and Jason Day have capped a triumphant opening day for Australian golfers at the prestigious WGC Dell Technologies Match Play with spirited comeback wins in Texas.
Scott, Min Woo Lee and Lucas Herbert all posted rollercoaster 1-up victories, while Day charged to a 4&2 win over Canadian Adam Svensson at the $US20 million event.
Cam Davis was the only Australian to fall at Austin Country Club on Wednesday, succumbing 4&3 to American sixth seed Xander Schauffele.
Scott was two down through 13 holes before rallying with birdies on 14, 16 and 18 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Ireland's Seamus Power.
He iced the win with a brilliant 26-foot birdie putt at the last.
It was a great start as the 2013 Masters champion bids to progress to the knockout stages for the second straight year, two weeks before he celebrates the 10th anniversary of his landmark win at Augusta National.
"I feel like I've put myself in a good spot. I'm hoping that Augusta is going to be the week it all comes together for four days," Scott said.
"I don't need an overhaul of everything, but I'm looking in every area for a little one per cent here or there."
Scott's remaining Group 13 matches are against Sam Burns and Adam Hadwin.
Day was one down through 10 holes before rattling in six successive birdies in one of the rounds of the afternoon.
"Very happy with how things progressed today," said the 2014 and 2016 Match Play champion.
Day faces Victor Perez next in Group 9, then two-time major winner Collin Morikawa.
Lee and Herbert earlier made winning starts with thrilling but contrasting victories.
After leading for much of the morning, Lee had to come from behind to snatch a 1-up win over Sahith Theegala after a round featuring two eagles, three birdies and two doubles.
His second double bogey on the 14th hole, followed by a birdie for his opponent on 16 allowed Theegala to go one up with two to play.
But Lee pulled the match out of the fire with birdies on 17 and 18 ahead of further group matches against JJ Spaun and reigning US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick.
"It was a highlight reel all day. Had two chip-ins, two eagles. Did a lot really well," Lee said.
There is much at stake this week for the 24-year-old Perth ace.
As well as needing a decent showing to seal a spot at next month's Masters, Lee will earn Special Temporary Membership for the remainder of the PGA Tour season if he can top Group 11 - or finish in a two-way tie for 17th with two pool wins.
Ranked outside of the top-50 cut-off mark for Augusta National, world No.56 Herbert probably needs to progress to the quarter-finals or further this week to make it back to the Masters.
He's at least on track after hanging on to beat Russell Henley.
Herbert powered to 5 up with five birdies on the front nine only for Henley to hit back on the inward nine to almost steal it.
Herbert's next two must-win matches in Group 14 are against Tyrrell Hatton and Ben Griffin.
World No.1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler, third seed Rory McIlroy and Kiwi Ryan Fox were also among the day-one winners.
But second seed Jon Rahm lost 2&1 to Rickie Fowler in the Spanish star's competitive return after withdrawing from the Players Championship two weeks ago with illness.
