Amateur Ludvig Aberg shot a sensational 65 on his Rolex Series debut to share the lead after the first round of the weather-affected 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The 23-year-old, who tops the World Amateur Golf Rankings, showcased his enormous potential on one of the biggest stages as he bounced back from an opening bogey with eight birdies to sit alongside Ian Poulter on seven under par.
The Swede did not begin his first round until Friday morning after more than six hours were lost due to wet weather at Emirates Golf Club on day one.
But after another delay of two hours on Friday, Aberg surged into contention with a near-flawless display.
His only blemish came at the first, where he three-putted for bogey, and he quickly got back on track with back-to-back birdies at the second and third before turning in 32 courtesy of further gains on the seventh and ninth.
Aberg trickled in his seven-foot birdie putt on the tenth and made another at the 13th before pulling off a good par save on the next hole.
A stunning tee-shot at the short 15th saw Aberg pick up another shot there before he went back-to-back with a 16-foot birdie on the 16th.
Despite an errant tee-shot at the 17th, he gave himself another good birdie chance there, only to miss the putt from ten feet.
And he went close from long range at the last but had to settle for a closing par and a seven-under-par total.
After a short break, Aberg then returned to the course to start his second round.
Englishman Poulter made seven birdies and no bogeys in his 65, while Angel Hidalgo, Louis de Jager and Thursday starters Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed were in a four-way tie for third on six under.
