Shane Lowry fired a fantastic opening round of 64 to sit in a five-way tie for the clubhouse lead on the first day of the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links Golf Course.
The Offaly man began his round with a pair of birdies and from there matched two nines of 32 - with just one dropped shot on the 12th - to leave himself ahead of the bunch on eight under par, alongside playing partner Tommy Fleetwood, South Africa's Richard Sterne and little-known New Zealander Kazuma Kobori.
France's Adrien Saddier - who went so close in September's Irish Open at the K Club - has since joined them after a 64 of his own.
Lowry's sole bogey of the day came in the middle of his hottest streak. From holes seven through 14, the 2019 Open Champion had six birdies, a par and that one dropped shot on number 12.
Lowry had a spring in his step throughout and seemed particularly comfortable in the company of Ryder Cup pals Fleetwood and Rasmus Hojgaard.
Dane Hojgaard didn't fend quite as well as his playing partners, opening with a level-par 72.
After his round, Lowry joked about his recent curious habit of starting this tournament well but not winning, although he was victorious here back in 2019. "Hopefully I can finish well this time," the Clara man offered.
"I was pretty excited when I saw the group, my pairing today, and it was nice to go out there with the boys.
"I was paired with (Fleetwood) in India the first two days and I shot 64 as well.
"So yeah, something about me and Tommy. But no, I just like playing with him, your friend, and really good player too.
"And you kind of feed off each other. It was nice."
Rory McIlroy performed quite well himself in his opening round. Playing alongside the surly Tyrrell Hatton and the long-bombing drives of Marco Penge, McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 to leave himself in good shape heading into his second round.
McIlroy, incidentally, had the minor added bonus of taking the slight bragging rights on Penge in the long-driving stakes.
The Englishman averaged 331 yards from the tee, with the Holywood star averaging exactly one yard more.
Indeed, the five-time major champion began his back nine in spectacular fashion by driving the green on the par-four 10th, from where he would two putt for birdie.
Masters winner McIlroy dropped just one shot all morning, on the par-four fifth, and added five birdies, although he had to work hard for his par at the closing par-five having chipped into a bunker
Hatton opened with 66, despite seeming displeased with just about every shot he hit, while Penge carded 67.
McIlroy has finished second four times in this tournament but is yet to win it.
