He's four shots off the pace.
A bogey on the closing hole won't put a damper on the spirits of Shane Lowry after a pleasing start at the season ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The 2019 Open Champion struck five birdies on 2,7,11,14 and 15 to cancel dropped shots on 9 and 18.
The resulting 69 leaves him on 3-under par and four shots off his Olympic partner Rory McIlroy.
The County Down golfer traditionally plays well at the Earth Course in the UAE and found his range spectacularly to notch six birdies and an eagle during his round.
He's on 7-under par and two clear of the chasing pack headed by Dane, Joachim B Hansen, South Africa's Christian Bezuidenhout and Tapio Pulkkanen of Finland.
Speaking after his round McIlroy was philosophical about his enjoyment of the course:
I was saying to Dean, I've been coming back here now or 12 years and it flies by. I think a lot of experience around this place, a lot of great memories and memories of great shots and great putts.
It's comfortable for me. I think if you can carry the ball over 30 on this course.
It gets a lot easier, just getting over some of those fairway bunkers and the landing areas become that bit wider.
Someone like Dean or myself today, that's an advantage for us and I've been able to use that to my advantage over last few years here.
Shane Lowry returns for his second round tomorrow at 11:10am Irish time alongside Swede Joakim Lagergren.
Rory McIlroy is in the final pairing at 12:45pm .
Offaly TD Says Alex Dunne Deserves €30k State Funding
Seven Laois Players Named On Joe McDonagh Team Of The Year
Westmeath SHC: Lough Lene Gaels Aiming To Win First Title Since 2002
Mickey Harte Appointed Kilcoo Manager
Laois SHC: The Harps Aiming To Make History This Weekend
Westmeath SFC: St Loman's Manager Proud Of Effort From His Players
Shinrone Capture Offaly Camogie Title
St Conleth's Secure Laois LGFA Title
Laois SFC: Portarlington Remain On Top In Laois
Offaly SFC: Tullamore Prove Too Strong For Ferbane
Westmeath SFC: The Down's Claim Back To Back Titles
Athlone Town's Play Off Hopes Dealt Major Blow
Shane Lowry Finishes With Round Of 68 At Madrid Open
Champions Crowned In Midlands Football Championships
Offaly GAA Club Set To Begin New Dressing Room Development Next Month
Portlaoise Panthers In Action Over The Course Of The Weekend
Four Teams Aiming For Glory In Offaly Senior Camogie Championship
Offaly SFC: Tullamore Focusing On Clash With Ferbane
Former Westmeath GAA Chair Says Young People Must Be Prioritised In Integration Process
Athlone Town Host Treaty United In First Division