Belgian Thomas Pieters fired home a bogey-free 63 to secure a two-shot lead after the opening round of the inaugural Saudi International.
The Ryder Cup star took full advantage of the calm conditions as he set the clubhouse target on seven-under par.
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He fired home seven birdies at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, where four of the world’s top five feature.
A group of six players are currently chasing him and that includes English pair Ross Fisher and Alfie Plant. World number one Justin Rose is seven strokes off the pace after a level-par 70.
When asked about his round, Pieters told reporters: “I hit my wedges and short irons really close to the hole. I think I had maybe 10 good chances for birdie and made seven of them. I think I did everything pretty well today.”
Dubai Desert Classic champion Bryson DeChambeau sits on two-under alongside Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter, who finished with back-to-back gains, while Brooks Koepka is a further stroke back.
