Kaymer tamed the Vilamoura course in spectacular fashion
Martin Kaymer shot 61 - the joint-best round of the season - to take the lead after day one of the Portugal Masters.
The German fired 11 birdies to clip two shots off the course record and stand three shots ahead of Argentine Daniel Vancsik and Sweden's Martin Erlandsson.
Britain's Lee Westwood, Gregory Bourdy of France and South African Retief Goosen shared third on seven under.
Justin Rose, trying to move to the top of Europe's money-list, carded a 69 while Rory McIlroy was on one under.
The 18-year-old from Northern Ireland went into the event still hoping to become the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour.
But that looks unlikely after an astonishing opening round from 22-year-old Kaymer, who is also in his first season on the tour.
He shared the lead going into the final round of the Wales Open in June and was also in front playing the last hole of the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm in August.
After finishing with five successive birdies for a closing 29 - one outside the tour record, Kaymer said: "I've been waiting for this day for a couple of weeks. My putting has been so-so, but every putt went in this time."
Vancsik, winner of the Madeira Islands Open in March, also had a near-miss at last week's Madrid Open.
He led in Spain for the first three rounds before wrecking his victory chances with a nine at the fifth hole on the last day.
Erlandsson is trying to better his career best of runner-up in the 2005 Wales Open and moved up to second place with four birdies in five holes to the turn.
Rose was happy to be able to play after suffering a recurrence of back trouble last weekend.
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