Robert Karlsson and Rory McIlroy started their European Tour campaigns with 5-under 67s to share the lead at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship after the first round.
McIlroy has a share of the lead, but he may be slightly disappointed with his up-and-down round that included two bogeys.
Tiger Woods on the hand, three shots back after shooting a bogey-free 70, was the model of consistency and control. A far cry from the way he was playing six months ago, and evidence that he really could be on the comeback trail.
"Tiger definitely looked very good to me – he's got the ball under control," McIlroy said.
Sergio Garcia’s first hole-in-one on European Tour
Northern Ireland's US Open champion could not say the same about himself, but a superb short game enabled him to shine on a day that also witnessed Sergio Garcia's first-ever hole-in-one on The European Tour.
Garcia, who like fellow Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara an hour later aced the 172-metre 12th, matched World No 1 Luke Donald's 71, while Lee Westwood shot 72 and Martin Kaymer – winner three of the last four years – a shocking 77 on a course where 15 of his previous 16 rounds were 68 or lower.
Garcia's ace earned him a three-night stay at the five-star Emirates Palace Hotel – every year for life. Suites there can cost over €1,500 a night, but with only one prize on offer his compatriot Lara was not so fortunate.
South African progress
On the South African front Branden Grace, trying to become the first player to win three consecutive events on the European Tour since Seve Ballesteros in 1986, managed only a 75.
Charl Schwartzel and Jbe Kruger were the leading South Africans after shooting 70s, George Coetzee shot 71, while James Kingston and Thomas Aiken shot level-par 72s.
Jaco van Zyl and Hennie Otto, like Grace, only managed 75s and Michiel Bothma shot 76.
