Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts joined English pair Andy Sullivan and Lee Westwood in a share of the clubhouse lead on a low scoring opening morning at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
World Number One Rory McIlroy also made an excellent start as he attempted to turn his recent good form into victory at Emirates Golf Club, but a wayward drive led to a bogey at the ninth – his last – which cost the Northern Irishman a share of top spot.
Big-hitting Belgian Colsaerts started on the back nine and a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th and further gains on the 17th and 18th saw him set a blistering pace.
Further birdies at the first and third saw the former Ryder Cup star briefly threaten the course record, but Colsaerts missed good chances at the fourth and fifth and had to wait for an eight footer at the seventh to drop for his next gain.
But he paid the price for missing the ninth fairway, and his seven under par 65 was swiftly matched by Westwood and Sullivan.
Sullivan captured his maiden European Tour title earlier in the season at the South African Open, and had five birdies alongside a 20 foot eagle on the par five 18th.
The former Walker Cup star was paired with McIlroy and Martin Kaymer, and admitted he was thrilled to play with two Major Champions.
“It was the best day of my life out there playing with these guys,” he said.
“It's an absolute pleasure and to be fair, it took some - not pressure off - but I didn't really look at the leaderboard today. I was just watching those guys play golf.
“It was just absolutely fantastic - one of the best days of my life - and to play the way I did, as well, was brilliant.
“I can't really put into words at the moment how happy I am and just to play with those guys, it's a dream come true. You watch them on the telly, winning Majors, playing in Ryder Cups and then you're playing with them, and then to play the way I did, it's just an unbelievable feeling.”
At the opposite end of the experience spectrum, former World Number One Westwood also kept a bogey-free card and birdied his last two holes to snatch a share of the lead.
A 40 foot putt at the fifth was the highlight of the 41 year old’s round, and afterwards he said: “I played well; I hit a lot of good shots.
“My iron shots were pretty sharp and I putted nicely, but if I was being critical, I didn't make enough of the par fives.”
Colsaerts was pleased with his opening round but felt his driving, usually one of his major strengths, stopped him from going even lower.
"I feel very good, I was in the zone all day," he said.
"I still felt like I left a few out there, I could have easily been ten under today.
"It's mixed feelings because I was hitting it wayward off the tee and then certain shots into the green I must have been looking like I was owning the place."
McIlroy has finished second in his last three events and was returning to the scene of his first professional win six years ago, where he has secured four consecutive top-ten finishes.
After starting on the ninth, the 25 year old got off to a flying start with birdies on his first two holes and another on the 18th got him to the turn in 34.
Four birdies in six holes from the third looked like giving McIlroy a share of the lead, but his last tee shot of the day finished in thick rough close to a fairway bunker.
"I'd be disappointed if I didn't shoot anything below 68 today, especially with the conditions and 66 is a nice start," he said.
"I'd like to see it blow a little bit and make it more of a challenging golf course, you still need to hit the shots but it would be nice to play in some conditions that are a little different than this."
Defending champion Stephen Gallacher, looking for a hat-trick of wins in the event, recovered from hitting his ball in the water at the 18th to match Westwood’s inward 31 and join McIlroy and German Max Kieffer on six under.
