Spain’s Sebastian Garcia fired a bogey-free opening round of 63 seven under par, to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Abu Dhabi Challenge on the HotelPlanner Tour.

After birdieing the first, Spaniard Garcia eagled the drivable par four fourth before picking up three more shots around the turn. A string of back nine pars preceeded one more birdie on the 16th.

The 36-year-old, who sits 85th in the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca Rankings, was delighted with his effort in the tougher afternoon conditions.

“I am feeling very good. I was solid in the tough afternoon conditions, so I am very happy,” he said.

“I had two or three difficult up and downs and I played very well from the tee box.”

The highlight of Garcia’s round came on the fourth after he holed an eagle putt following an exquisite tee shot.

“It was good. I hit a hybrid to nine meters and then hit a nice putt,” he added. “It was difficult out there in the afternoon. I haven’t seen the scores, but I am guessing they are higher.”

With his second round starting early on Friday, Garcia is looking to solidify his position and take advantage of the calmer conditions.

“It will be perfect because there will be no wind, and a little fire will be taken out of the course. I won’t change anything. This course, you need to be aggressive from the tee and second shots.”

Garcia sits one shot clear of four players on six under par – Dane Victor Sidal Svendsen, German Freddy Schott, France’s Robin Sciot-Siegrist and Spaniard Albert Boneta.

Scot Daniel Young is one shot further back alongside Dutchman Daan Huizing, Felix Mory of France and American Chase Hanna. Swede Albin Bergstrom, Thailand’s Denwit David Boriboonsub, Dutchman Lars Van Meijel, England’s Callum Farr and Belgian Matthis Besard share tenth position on four under par.

Meanwhile, Dubai resident and last year’s champion, Garrick Porteous, impressed on course despite entering the event with no real expectations. The 35-year-old, who retired from full-time professional golf at the end of last year, carded six birdies on his way to a three under par 67.

“If someone told me I was going to shoot three under today, I would have taken it straight away,” said Porteous, who sits in a share of 15th.

“I felt very relaxed out there, so we’ll see how tomorrow goes. I’ve just got to keep on putting birdies on the scorecard around this place – you never know what can happen.”

The UAE’s Ahmad Skaik, fresh off his historic achievement as the first Emirati to make the cut in a European Tour group event at last week’s UAE Challenge, delivered a solid level par 70 in the Garden City.

Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Attieh also matched Ahmad with a level par opening round, while Egypt’s Issa Abou El Ela and Morocco’s Mustapha Pinta sit two further shots back at two over par.

Crucial support for the tournament comes from Abu Dhabi Sports Council, UAE-headquartered Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore.

Main Image: Getty Images – Octavio Passos