Antoine Rozner continued his brilliant record on the Fire Course as he started the defence of his AVIV Dubai Championship title with a bogey free 65.
The Frenchman won his maiden European Tour trophy here just under 12 months ago and has since added another in the Middle East at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
He is 32 under for five rounds over the Fire Course having never shot over 70, and admits the layout suits him perfectly.
“I just think every shot suits my eye here but you’ve still got to play well," he said. "My last few rounds including last year and my practice round this week, I’ve been playing really solid out here.
"That’s the key, just play well and if you can hole a few puts like I did today, it’s going to be a low one, so I’m just very happy with my round.
“I know I’ve played well here in the past so that gives me a bit of confidence but at the end you just start over.
"I’ve played well these last few weeks, my ball striking has been good and on this course that’s key.
“I’m in good form and maybe being back here brings the good vibes in me and I’m just aggressive out here so it’s been good."
Andy Sullivan finished in a tie for second behind Rozner in 2020 and carded six birdies in seven holes en route to also carding a 65 in round one.
The Englishman has recently made changes to his team as he seeks a fifth European Tour title and is happy to see his work bear fruit.
“I just got the putter going," he said. "I’ve been working hard the last couple of weeks with my team and changed my coach for the long game two weeks ago.
"It’s not been the best of seasons for me so far this year so I was almost trying to make a change to get ready for next year but saw good signs last week in my long game and been working hard on my putting. It’s always somewhere I seem to come and putt well and today as definitely one of those days.
“I’ve been working with Goughy (Jamie Gough) for seven years and trying to cut the ball predominantly and seeing Mike Walker for my chipping and it just seemed like a natural progression to see him for the swing and neutralise the path of the swing.
"It felt good early. Felt good last week and a few shots out there last week when it wasn’t quite right but slowly but surely it’s getting there.
"It’s good - it has reinvigorated myself to practise because at times this year I’ve not wanted to be out on the golf course.”
