Rory McIlroy added a new chapter to his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship love story as a record-breaking 63 catapulted him right into contention at Yas Links.
The Northern Irishman has been second at the event twice and third a staggering six times but has yet to taste victory in the UAE capital.
His previous birdie-best in a single round in the Emirate had been nine but he broke not only that record but his own DP World Tour tally with a staggering 11 as he moved to 11 under on Friday.
That puts him right in the mix for a victory this week which could put him on track for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title next week and the reigning two-time Masters champion was pleased with his day's work.
"I did everything well again," he said. "I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better. I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven't been seeing for the last couple of months.
"I finished second at Wentworth. Felt like if I had holed any putts at the weekend, I could have walked away with the win there. Struggled on the greens in India.
"But did some work with Brad Faxon last week and feel like I'm in a better spot with it. I definitely saw some encouraging signs on the greens today.
"I would say I'll be at least two or three behind going into tomorrow but I'm still in a much better position than I thought I would be. So yeah, give myself a great chance, and that's all I can ask for."
McIlroy's first-round 70 was somewhat overshadowed by an incident on the 12th where camera footage showed him resting his club behind the ball ahead of a chip.
After deciding that could be perceived as him pressing down on the grass in contravention of the rules, McIlroy decided to take a two-shot penalty but the furore did not seem to have any effect on the six-time Major winner.
"Yesterday was yesterday and today's a new day," he said.
"I had to take an unplayable at the first and made a bogey. It wasn't like I got off to the greatest of starts today.
"But then obviously I got it going. As I said last night, I felt like I'd played well enough to get back into the golf. I played well enough to feel like I could play my way back into the tournament.
"I went out today and played a good round of golf and did get myself back into it."
