Jon Rahm said it would be "a true honour" to equal the late Seve Ballesteros' haul of three victories at his home open after making a strong start to the 2022 acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.
Spaniard Rahm won this event for the first time in 2018 before successfully defending his title in 2019.
The World Number Six opened with a stunning 64 at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid on Thursday to sit one shot off the lead.
Spanish golf great Ballesteros won this event in 1981, 1985 and 1995, and Rahm would love to emulate that achievement.
He said: "It would be incredible. He is obviously the reference in Spain. He made golf where it is in this country.
"He changed golf worldwide but here especially. So any time you get your chance to put your name on a list that only Seve is on (in the DP World Tour era), it's really incredible.
"I've been able to do it a couple of times with a few accomplishments but to be able to win this event three times would be incredible.
"I don't want to think about it too much but it would be a dream come true, it would be a true honour."
Rahm began his first round with a birdie at the tenth before holing his 33-foot eagle putt on the 14th, drawing huge cheers from the local fans.
He closed his front nine with back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th before giving a shot back at the first, having got into trouble off the tee.
But he bounced back with birdies at the fourth and fifth before chipping in for another gain on the eighth to reach seven under par.
He said: "I'm glad I could follow up my last competitive round with another really good round and keep the good play going.
"It's important to start strong."
