"American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery has made history as his debut album, "Clear as Day," opens at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 197,000 sold.

McCreery is the first country act to debut at No. 1 with their first studio album, and at 18-years old, the youngest man to open at the top of the chart with their debut release.

PLUS:  McCreery is also the first "Idol" winner since 2003 to hit No. 1 with their first studio set.

Ruben Studdard was the last "Idol" champ to start their career with a No. 1 album, when his "Soulful" entered the tally dated Dec. 27, 2003, with 417,000 sold. Kelly Clarkson, the original "Idol" champ, also debuted at No. 1, with "Thankful" on May 3, 2003 (297,000).

Next week, watch for 2011 "Idol" second-place finisher, Lauren Alaina, to arrive on the Billboard 200 with her debut, "Wildflower."