Henrik Stenson picked up where he left off in 2016 as he got his 2017 season under way at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The Swede has enjoyed a stunning 12 months, claiming a second Race to Dubai title and a first Major Championship at The Open, and he continued that form at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The 40 year old turned in 30 from the tenth to get to six under and open up an early two-shot lead over Byeong-hun An.
Stenson was the star of the 2016 campaign and that form continued in a wonderful start to the first event of the Desert Swing.
He birdied the tenth and 12th and then spun a brilliant approach close on the 13th to get to three under. Even better was to follow as he chipped in from the front of the 14th for the shot of the day so far.
An approach to 12 feet on the 17th got him to five under and when he got on the par five 18th in two, two putts put the seal on an excellent first nine.
An, the BMW PGA Championship winner and Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 2015, also birdied the tenth and he added gains on the 13th, 14th and 16th to sit four under after eight holes.
Course specialist Martin Kaymer, a three-time winner of this event, was then at three under after ten holes alongside Mikko Ilonen, with Branden Grace at the same mark having played eight.
Scot Marc Warren got off to a quick start with three birdies in his first four holes to also sit at three under, a shot clear of Englishmen Oliver Fisher, Tyrrell Hatton, Jordan L Smith and Anthony Wall.
Defending champion Rickie Fowler was at one over alongside Masters Tournament winner Danny Willett and US Open champion Dustin Johnson.
