Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello dabbled with the tought of the magical 59 in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic, before changing his attitude and just settling for the lead.
Cabrera-Bello had the chance to achieve The European Tour's first 59 when he stood on his 12th tee 9 under par.
It left him needing four more birdies to achieve the magic figure, but the 27-year-old Spaniard made pars the rest of the way in for a 63 and a two stroke lead over German Marcel Siem and Scotland's Scott Jamieson.
"Just for a second after the birdie on number two (his 11th hole) I tried to do the maths on what I needed for 59, Cabrera-Bello said. "Then I told myself to stop being foolish and don't be too greedy. Nothing wrong happened - there were some tough holes to come and I didn't drop a stroke.
"It's a really, really good score, but in itself it means nothing. If you want to stay grounded you think of how many leaders of the first round win the tournament. Not that many.
"I know I have to play really, really good just to have a chance."
Richard Sterne, playing on a medical exemption, was the best placed South African in the field, finishing with a 6-under-par 66 to lie three shots off the pace. He is joined by world No 2 Rory McIlroy, who has his sweetheart Caroline Wozniacki with him this week, and world No 4 Martin Kaymer.
