Paul Casey made a rapid start on his return to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as he raced into an early lead.
The Englishman made the most of perfect scoring conditions at the Emirates Golf Club, which witnessed some early morning haze.
Playing the back nine first at the Majlis Course, the world No 27 birdied each of his first four holes.
He picked up another shot at the par-4 16th, and reached the turn at 5-under par.
That gave him a two-stroke lead over a group of players at 3-under that included Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.
Garcia’s playing partner in the morning’s marquee match up, Collin Morikawa, was on 1-under.
