Former champion Henrik Stenson bounced back from missing the cut last week to card an opening six-under-par 66 and open up a one-stroke lead at the Qatar Masters.
Dubai resident Stenson, who was runner-up last year following his 2006 triumph at Doha Golf Club, picked up four shots in eight holes around the turn to make his move before finishing with back-to-back birdies.
Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood signed for a bogey-free 67 alongside Dane Anders Hansen.
South African Louis Oosthuizen, runner-up in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, and Australia's Brett Rumford were also five under and a shot clear of Aaron Baddeley, Robert Karlsson and Jarmo Sandelin.
Another former champion, Retief Goosen, was five under after 13 holes but recorded back-to-back bogeys and was forced to settle for a three-under 69 alongside Oliver Wilson and early pacesetter Peter Hedblom.
"I maybe didn't play my best but I took my chances and I was putting really well. It comes down to the putting and I made some good 10-15 footers," said Stenson.
"It wasn't the start I hoped for last week but there are always going to be a couple of bad ones in a season and obviously I am happy to be in this position and going forward.
"It's a course I really enjoy playing. I think it's the ninth time coming to Qatar so I have a fair idea how to play the course."
Westwood, 35, was delighted with a 67 achieved with his first competitive round with an entire new set of clubs.
After missing four solid birdie chances over his opening six holes after starting from the 10th, Westwood's round finally came alive with two quick birdies to reach the turn at two under.
Three birdies in four holes in the middle of the front nine moved him up the leaderboard before he secured his place just a shot off the pace by saving par at the last following a wayward tee shot.
"I have not practised over Christmas, taking maybe three or four weeks off," he said.
"I didn't really know what to expect but I was doing a lot of gym work and that keeps me from going rusty like I used to when I took time off."
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STENSON IN COMPLETE CONTROL
