Rory McIlroy has set the early pace in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship after upstaging playing partners Tiger Woods and Luke Donald.
The Northern Irishman was drawn alongside the 14-time major winner and the current world number one in a dream threesome for the crowds.
He shot a five-under 67 to hold the clubhouse lead alongside Swede Robert Karlsson.
"It was a good score and a great way to start 2012, but I don't feel I drove the ball particularly well and it's something I've got to work on," the US Open champion said afterwards.
"It was nothing that a good practice session won't fix."
Woods is just three shots back after a two-under round of 70, while Englishman Donald is a further shot adrift.
"It was fun to be part of that threesome - Tiger and Rory are huge names in the world of sport," Donald added.
Sergio Garcia produced the shot of the day by delivering a hole-in-one on the par three 12th, his first ace on the European Tour.
Pascal Lemesre
