Day one digest: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA

Everything you need to know from day one of the first Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai.

Shaun Norris and Renato Paratore could not be separated, Brooks Koepka picked up where he left off and a European Tour favourite reached a very special milestone.

Here is everything you need to know from day one at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Norris and Paratore lead the way

Paratore lost out in a play-off at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and he brought that form to the Middle East, with a four birdie finish getting him to eight under and seeing him set the target. Norris has a win, four seconds and four other top tens in his last 14 worldwide starts and he too brought his form to Abu Dhabi to match the Italian in the afternoon. Life has not been easy for the South African since the passing of his father in the summer but with his brother on the bag, he is enjoying his golf again. "It's been a rough year last year after losing my father," he said. "I had my brother come back on the bag again and it feels like everything is just working at the moment. We're having a lot of fun out there, that's the main thing, I'm really happy with what is happening at the moment."

Will practice make Brooks perfect?

A three month injury lay off did not prove a problem for World Number One Koepka as he fired a bogey free 66 to get to six under on his return to competitive golf. Ominously, the four time Major Champion revealed that he had not been able to practise properly throughout 2019 and was looking forward to working harder on his already remarkable game. "I'm excited and it will be nice to be able to practise again," he said. "I haven't been able to practise. Last year, I just couldn't practise. It was too painful and I wasn't being able to do the things I wanted to do. I told my team in the last year, I was just going to really rededicate myself for the next five, six years, and we'll see where we are." An even better Brooks for the new decade? Rivals beware.

Life in the fast lane

Anyone who follows Scott Hend on social media will know how grateful he is for the golfing life, loving the game he plays and the way it lets him go all over the world. Well you may also know that the big hitting Aussie is a bit of a petrolhead, so he is in his element this week. Maybe the roar of an engine inspired him to his very impressive opening 69.

Speaking of Hendy

Scott is also known for his often interesting footwear on the course so we think he would have approved of these from Koepka.

And maybe the colourful kicks inspired the American to produce this moment of magic.

600 up for Søren

There are few more popular figures on the European Tour than Dane Søren Kjeldsen and when he hit his tee shot at 1.15pm on Thursday, he had teed it up in 600 events. At just 44, he has plenty of time to add to both his appearances and his four wins. “Back in 1998, to get on the European Tour was a major achievement and to still be here 23 years after, I could have never dreamt of that,” he said. “I am still very passionate about the game but to be around young players, it gives you that little bit extra. I’m very pleased to be here at 600, so let’s see what happens in the future.” Congratulations Søren. All of us here at European Tour HQ, and these guys, could not imagine life without you.