With an unblemished 65, Ryan Yip equalled the Royal Sydney course record on Thursday – but still sits three shots off the pace at the Australian Open.

Unfortunately for the little-known Canadian, Adam Scott beat Yip to the punch with an even more scintillating round of 10-under-par 62 opening round.

Yip didn’t even know he’d equalled the record until Adam Scott had already blitzed it by three shots.

It was that sort of day.

“He’s number two in the world for a reason,” Yip said.

“He showed it today.”

The 28-year-old from the Canadian Tour is simply happy to be discussed in the same conversation as the US Masters champion.

“I guarantee he doesn’t know me,” Yip said.

When asked if the 33-year-old Scott would know him by the end of the weekend, an optimistic Yip smiled: “Hopefully.”

Yip picked up four birdies in the opening seven holes to make a hot start – even if it wasn’t quite as remarkable as Scott birdieing his first six.

The understated Yip said the dynamics of the Royal Sydney course worked in his favour.

“I like to see the ball running and that’s what this course offers me,” he said.

“…I played well. That’s all I can do. I can’t control anyone else.”

He is aware that as well as confronting the world No.2, he also has to contend with a parochial crowd who are all but ready to give Scott the third leg of his Triple Crown.

“Hopefully I’m not thinking that (the tournament is over),” he said.

“Every Aussie is. But I hope I’ll play well the rest of the way.”