Thomas Pieters was among the leaders at the top of a congested leaderboard early on day one of the Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf.
The stunning layout was making its second appearance on the Race to Dubai and Pieters - making his debut in Muscat - turned in 33 to get to three under.
Frenchman Adrien Saddier was also three under after ten holes alongside Spaniard Jorge Campillo, who had completed seven.
There were then ten players at two under including Major Champion Paul Lawrie and five time European Tour winner Alexander Levy.
Saddier got off to a flying start, eagling the par four second and taking advantage of the par five next to jump out to three under.
He then made seven pars in a row as a large bunch of players gathered behind him but none could get level until Pieters made a birdie on the 18th to go with an eagle on the par five 12th.
Campillo then joined the party as he made a hat-trick of gains from the 14th.
Lawrie made three birdies and a bogey in his first nine, while Levy did the same to turn in 34.
England's Matthew Baldwin and Callum Shinkwin, South Africans Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Jacques Kruyswijk, Spaniard Nacho Elvira, Japanese Yusaku Miyazato, Italian Andrea Pavan and Scot Marc Warren were also one off the lead.
