At the event played on three famous seaside links, headed by St Andrews Old Course, world No.1007 John cashed in on perfect conditions at the easiest of the trio, Kingsbarns, to shoot a 10-under par 62.
Still, disappointingly for the Victorian, it wasn't quite enough to help him grab the lead on Thursday as South Africa's Darren Fichardt at one point threatened to card only the second 59 in European Tour history before settling for a 61, also at Kingsbarns.
Well played, Darren � — Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (@dunhilllinks) pic.twitter.com/FGPHtFkP8eOctober 3, 2024
At the venue just seven miles down the coast from St Andrews, John enjoyed a remarkable day, recording nine birdies and an eagle two at the short 339-yard par-four sixth hole.
Like Fichardt, he too could momentarily dream of threatening the magical 60 barrier when he covered the first 12 holes in eight under, but his one blemish of the day, a bogey five at the 14th, ruined that particular fantasy.
Still, John birdied the final three holes and will be in good heart to tackle the tougher challenges of British Open courses, St Andrews and Carnoustie, over the next two days, with the final round to be played on the Old Course on Sunday.
It's been a big year for John, who won his first professional tournament, The National, in Victoria on the Australasia Tour in March.Â
The Dunhill event also pairs tour players in a Pro-Am team event, with John evidently being inspired by being partnered by Neil Coulson, chief executive of the St Andrews Links Trust, the charity in charge of the historic Old Course.
Fichardt made two eagles and nine birdies in his round, just a shot outside the course record shared by Branden Grace and Peter Uihlein.Â
"A little 59 on this track would have been nice, but just read the wind wrong on my second-to-last hole, the eighth hole. Unfortunately three-putted there," he sighed.
Another Australian, European Tour regular David Micheluzzi fired a bogey-free 64 at Kingsbarns with eight birdies to lie in joint-sixth place.
Arguably, the round of the day came at St Andrews with New Zealand's Daniel Hillier returning a 63, while LIV stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton carded the lowest rounds of the day with 65s at Carnoustie,Â
Playing alongside his father Gerry in the pro-am event, Rory McIlroy shot 69 at Carnoustie, leaving him in a share of 73rd.
"It's my dad's 65th birthday on Saturday so to be able to stroll around the Old Course with him is going to be a pretty cool occasion," said McIlroy.
� Dunhill delight for Douglas— Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (@dunhilllinks) Michael Douglas with a terrific birdie putt at Carnoustie#dunhilllinks pic.twitter.com/et5ugwDVhPOctober 3, 2024
Among the celebrities on show - the Links Championship always attracts its fair share of A listers desperate to play the Old Course - no-one looked happier than Hollywood superstar Michael Douglas when he sank a long birdie putt at Carnoustie.Â
Surfing 'GOAT' Kelly Slater has often been regarded as a lucky mascot by the pros as he's previously partnered two players who went on to win the championship. Certainly, Australian Matt Jones hopes so, though he only shot a level-par 72 for openers at Carnoustie alongside the 11-time world champ.
