Australian Peter O'Malley equalled the Carnoustie course record as he stormed into a share of the lead in the £2.5m Alfred Dunhill Links championship, and then revealed how his guesthouse landlady helped keep his title bid on track.

On a day when perfect conditions led to a flurry of low scoring, the 42-year-old, a three-time winner on the European circuit, fired a rousing eight-under-par 64 over the Angus links to join South African Hennie Otto and Nick Dougherty of England at the top of the field with an 11-under aggregate of 133.

O'Malley countered one dropped shot with a haul of nine birdies as he equalled the Carnoustie record low held by Colin Montgomerie, Alan Tait, Steve Stricker and fellow Aussie Richard Green.

Hartlepool's Graeme Storm, after an opening 74, blasted a six-under 66. He enjoyed six birdies and 12 pars while playing with Henrik Stenson and Ronan Keating.

O'Malley's day ended on a high, but it almost got off to a disastrous start when he left his clubs at his guesthouse.

''I was driving to Carnoustie and I heard something rattling in the car boot,'' he explained.

''As soon as I heard that I knew I hadn't put the clubs in the car. I rang the lady at the guest house.

"She put the clubs in her car and met me halfway at Leuchars Railway station.

''My caddie told me that after the way the day started it had the makings to be a good one and it was.''