A solid start for New Zealand's Ryan Fox in his first full season on the European golf Tour.
Fox has had a three under par 69 in his opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
But in a jam packed leaderboard, Henrik Stenson has shot clear with a flawless eight under par 64.
Stenson believes he can win more major titles after starting his 2017 campaign with a stunning opening round.
Stenson won the British Open at Royal Troon last year after a thrilling duel with Phil Mickelson, equalling the lowest score in major history with a 63 in the final round.
The 40-year-old Swede went on to win the Race to Dubai for the second time in four years and was quick to target more silverware after a flawless 64 in Abu Dhabi, the only venue on the European Tour's 'Desert Swing' where he has yet to record a victory.
"I just want to keep on developing my game, keep on working hard on that and come into the majors well prepared and well rested and try to put myself into contention," Stenson said.
"I feel like I can make that Claret Jug get some company if I can do that so I'm going to try my hardest."
Stenson admitted he had practised his skiing more than his golf in the off- season and only arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, making a stopover in Stockholm on the way to collect his award for Sweden's male sports star of the year.
But the world No.4 showed no signs of rust as he started from the 10th and raced to the turn in 30, before picking up further shots on the seventh and ninth.
"Lack of sleep, lack of practice, but I'm obviously delighted with that score," Stenson added on Sky Sports.
"I think I scored a bit better than I played but I kept it under control somewhat, hit a couple of close iron shots and made the putts.
"There wasn't too much stress out there after all."
At eight under par, Stenson held a two-shot lead over three-time winner and Ryder Cup team-mate Martin Kaymer, whose 66 was matched by England's Oliver Fisher, Scotland's Marc Warren and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
