Charl Schwartzel continued to lead as the second round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship began.
But there was bad news for Padraig Harrington, who was disqualified from his first event of the year.
In second place after a seven under par opening 65, the three-time Major winner was the subject of an investigation into whether his ball moved on the seventh green during the opening round.
Under golf's very strict rules Harrington could not simply accept a penalty shot because he had signed his card.
And Harrington was indeed disqualified after a 30-minute review of the incident with European Tour senior referee Andy McFee.
That brought back memories of The Belfry in 2000. The Dubliner was five ahead with a round to go there, but then it was discovered he had not signed his opening day scorecard and he was disqualified.
While Harrington's fate was decided, South African Schwartzel went three clear with four birdies and two bogeys in his first 11 holes.
Schwartzel, who made a successful defence of the Joburg Open last week, stood ten under par with US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and Harrington on seven under.
McDowell, who finished his initial 66 with five successive birdies, resumed with back-to-back bogeys, but birdied the next two and then matched Schwartzel's four on the long 18th to turn in 35.
Rory McIlroy eagled the 582 yard tenth for a perfect start to his second round and after a bogey on the 14th finished the back nine with two birdies to be four under.
Masters Tournament champion Phil Mickelson, playing with McDowell, was two under with seven to play, while World Number One Lee Westwood was among the later starters on three under.
