Denmark’s Joachim B Hansen fired a seven-under-par 65 to take the lead after the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic, one shot clear of South African Justin Harding.
Harding still has one hole to complete after play was suspended.
World No 110 Hansen continued the good form he showed in the UAE at the end of last season – he won the Dubai Championship in November before a top-10 finish at the World Tour Championship.
“It’s a bit of a shame there weren’t any more tournaments at the end of last year, but I try to keep it going,” he said. “I’m a bit more relaxed, have a bit more belief in myself.”
To claim a third Tour win, Hansen will have to hold off a strong chasing pack, with Sergio Garcia and Tommy Fleetwood among a five-strong group in the clubhouse at five under.
Garcia avoided any dropped shots, while Fleetwood birdied the 18th to join his Ryder Cup teammate in signing for a 67.
“I still have a lot of things I want to achieve,” said Garcia. “I want to get better, keep challenging myself to improve. It’s never easy, and obviously as you get older, it’s tougher.”
Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, Italy’s Andrea Pavan and 52-year-old Thai Thongchai Jaidee are the other players just two strokes off the lead after 18 holes.
World No 2 Morikawa is lurking menacingly at four under as he bounced back from a disappointing performance when he finished tied 62nd in Abu Dhabi last week.
The Open champion flew out of the blocks with a six under 31 on the back nine, his first nine holes, before stumbling to post a 68.
“I’m trying to not worry about too much and just show up on the golf course, play golf and just know where my misses will be and I think that’s the biggest thing,” said Morikawa, last year’s Race to Dubai winner.
Fifth-ranked Norwegian Hovland enjoyed a more steady day to sit alongside Morikawa, making three birdies and an eagle.
It was a slow day for Rory McIlroy, though, as the four-time Major champion had to settle for a one under 71.
© Agence France-Presse
