Abraham Ancer. Matt Smith/Motivate Media Group

Abraham Ancer took advantage of the ‘calmer’ morning conditions at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Thursday to take command of the first round of the Saudi International.

The Asian Tour flagship event kicked off the 2023 season, and with $5 million on the line, it is a nice way to start the year on the Red Sea coast.

Ancer, 31, is a national star in his home country of Mexico, and is getting up to speed in Saudi ahead of the LIV Golf season opener at Mayakoba at the end of the month.

Despite playing with legendary company in Phil Mickelson and Books Koepka, who have 10 majors between them, it was Ancer who shone, with a seven-birdie 63 in the morning groups.

“I am pretty happy with that,” he said, after his seven-under gave him a one-stroke lead from Colombian Sebastian Munoz. “I felt like I was in control for the most part of the golf ball. I took advantage at the beginning where there was very little wind.

“After the turn, the wind started pumping pretty good. Once it starts getting that way, you try to hold on, and being able to make a couple birdies coming in was definitely nice.

“In the morning wave, you want to make as many biridies as you can as it is tougher in the afternoon when the wind really gets going here. It was good to manage that. It was bogey-free, so I am really happy with that performance.”

Munoz, who is just as laidback as his Mecican counterpart, added: “I will relax for the rest of the day. I think I’ve got a haircut scheduled, so I’ll do that. Then tomorrow I will keep it simple. Keep it the same.”

Easy when you know how.