The Clara man is one under par.
Shane Lowry has carded a 1 under par first round of 71 at the DP World Tour Championship in the U-A-E.
The Clara man is tied for 16th alongside Tom McKibbin.
Rory McIlroy is two shots off the lead on 2-under par thru 9 holes.
The Holywood golfer is in prime position to claim the $2,000,000 first prize bonus for winning the Race to Dubai.
Only a win for Thriston Lawrence this week, coupled with McIlroy finishing 11th or lower, can prevent the Northern Irishman from taking home the Harry Vardon trophy.
The clubhouse lead is held by Paul Waring and Tyrell Hatton on 4 under par,
Full Interview: The Down's Manager Dermot Power
St Brigid's And St Joseph's Aiming To Reach Leinster Semi-Finals
Ballinagar And Milltown To Meet In Leinster Intermediate Quarter-Final
Ronan Coffey Praises Portarlington’s Young Guns Ahead Of Leinster Quarter-Final
Mauricio Pochettino Set To Be Appointed Manchester United Manager
Darragh Murray Named In Irish Squad For Fiji Clash
Portlaoise Panthers Aiming To Bounce Back In Division One
Portarlington On The Road In Leinster
The Down's Building Towards Leinster Football Quarter-Final
Laois Provisional League Fixtures Revealed
The Harps Manager Praises His Sides Efforts In Leinster
Buccaneers Claim Back To Back AIL Wins
Kilcormac Killoughey Captain Full Of Praise For Goalkeeper
Lough Lene Gaels Suffer Late Heartbreak In Leinster Quarter-Final
Crookedwood Win Leinster Junior Camogie Title
Conor Slevin Wins Dramatic Leinster Quarter-Final For Kilcormac Killoughey
Ireland Secure Comfortable Win Over Argentina
Kilcormac Killoughey Seal Win But Heartbreak For Lough Lene Gaels And The Harps
Midlands Family Takes On Ireland’s Fittest Family Challenge