It was a slow start to the season for India's Shiv Kapur, who carded two-over 74 in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
The only Indian in the field, Kapur had a good start on the front nine with a birdie on second and he turned in one-under. But he ran into rough weather with three bogeys on the back nine to finish at 74.
Amateur Bryson DeChambeau stole the show today as he set the early target.
While eyes were on another American -- the 22-year-old World No. One Jordan Spieth -- DeChambeau fired a brilliant 64 to set the clubhouse target at eight under, one shot clear of Henrik Stenson.
The US Amateur champion looked completely at home as he moved to the head of a high-class leaderboard.
Stenson, who was playing just six weeks after knee surgery, had just one bogey in his 65 to sit at seven under, a shot clear of reigning Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy with Spieth a further two shots back at four under.
World No. 3 McIlroy was delighted with his 66 today.
McIlroy, who is beginning his season in Abu Dhabi for seventh straight season, has finished second at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in four of the last five years.
"It's a great way to start the year," he said. "I felt in practice last week in Dubai that I was swinging well and I really came back mentally refreshed and really excited to play again. I think that showed out there today."
McIlroy was paired with Spieth and World No. 6 Rickie Fowler with the former sitting just two shots behind his Northern Irish rival.
