(CBS) Scotty McCreery’s debut album, “Clear as Day,” has taken the top spot on the Billboard album chart, making him the first “American Idol” winner to kick off his career with a No. 1 album since 2003.

The 18-year-old is also the youngest male artist to open at the top of the chart with his first album, Billboard.com reports, and the first country act to debut at No. 1 with a first studio album.

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According to the website, which cites Nielsen SoundScan, “Clear as Day” has sold 197,000 copies in its first sales week.

Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard was the last “Idol” winner to top the Billboard chart with a debut album, with “Soulful” in December 2003. Kelly Clarkson’s first album, “Thankful,” also hit the top spot earlier that year.

Billboard.com reports that Season 8 winner Kris Allen’s first album sold 80,000 copies in its first week back in 2009, and 루비게임바둑이 Season 9’s Lee DeWyze sold 39,000 in 2010. McCreery’s debut week out-sold both of them combined.

Last season’s “Idol” runner-up, Lauren Alaina, released her first album, “Wildflower,” on Tuesday. Her sales will be tracked on next week’s Billboard chart.

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