PETER HANSON STORMED the first round of the Dubai World Championship with an eight-under-par 65 to take an early one-shot lead.
The Swede hit six birdies and parred the other three on the back nine to overtake early Paul Lawrie but missed a putt on the 18th and with it the chance to set a new course record.
“I was really enjoying the sun, the golf course is in fantastic condition and I managed to play some good golf,” Hanson told Talksport.
“This was the best round that I ever played. It was just one of those days that everything seemed to go right.”
World Number 1 Luke Donald is eight shots back after 16 as he attempts to win an historic money list double, while Rory McIlroy, who Donald called more talented than Tiger Woods before changing his mind, is four under par heading into the 17th.
Former British Open winner Lawrie, making his debut in the tournament, will be pleased with his form after recording seven birdies in ten holes from from the fifth.
Going nine years without a trophy, the 42-year-old Scot won the Andalucia Open back in March and is now aiming to be get into the top 50 in the world – and put an end to the mickey-taking from his sons.
“I gave myself an awful lot of chances – my iron play was fabulous,” said Lawrie. ”Sometimes you need a day like that. My boys are 16 and 12 now and I don’t want them to see Dad being a poor player.”
