New Zealand rookie Jae An opened with an impressive 8-under 62 Thursday at the Canadian Tour's $250,000 Times Colonist Open.
Scott Harrington making his first Canadian start in five years, was one shot back.
Five others, including Regina's Kent Eger, Calgary's Jordan Irwin and Vancouver's Richard Lee, started their week off at 4-under 66.
Irwin, a former Canadian Tour member and ex-amateur standout, had to qualify Monday to get into the event while 19-year-old prodigy Lee was making his first start since winning the Spring Qualifying School in nearby Parksville, B.C., last week.
Local favourite Jim Rutledge opened at 68.
Victoria marks just the third Canadian Tour start, and first in Canada,
Starting his day on the 10th tee, An was 3-under at the halfway point of his day before finding another gear on his back nine. He birdied the par-4 fifth to get to 6-under but followed that up with a bogey on the sixth.
That didn't last long as he took over sole position of top spot with a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 seventh and rolled in another birdie on number eight.
"It's always great to get a good start," said An, who was born in Korea, raised in New Zealand and now calls Arizona home. "I hit a lot of shots close today, and that always makes things easier.
"I really like how this tournament is set up. It has a big-time tour feel to it."
Originally joining the tour back in 2005, Harrington suffered through a forgettable freshman season, making a cheque in just two of eight starts with a season-best finish of 44th.
"That (2005) was my worst year as a pro," he admitted. "Nothing seemed to go right and I just decided to go home early and try to figure things out. It was a struggle all year long."
The 24-year-old Irwin, who represented Canada at the 2008 world amateur championship, struggled in his rookie season and was unable to retain his card for 2010.
Should he keep his current pace, this week could go a long way to seeing Irwin play his way back on to his national circuit.
"It feels really good to get an early one under the belt," said Irwin. "It was one round, so I won't get too far ahead of myself. Anything can happen over these next three days."