Luke Donald leads the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by a single shot after finishing his first round with four successive birdies to sign for a sensational 64.
The former world No 1 rolled back the years on Thursday morning as he carded nine birdies and a solitary bogey to set the clubhouse target at eight under par.
And none of the afternoon starters were able to catch the European Ryder Cup captain before play was suspended due to fading light at 17:57 local time.
But Englishman Donald has a high-quality chasing pack breathing down his neck after a day of low scoring at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, with Guido Migliozzi and Jason Scrivener on seven under par after their 65s.
Irishman Séamus Power is another shot further back after his bogey-free 66, one clear of the seven-strong group on five under which contains Major champions Shane Lowry and Francesco Molinari.
South African George Coetzee is among a big group of players on four under after a round of 68 that included six birdies and two bogeys.
– Report from DP World Tour website
