The two time Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner is looking good early on in the season's first World Golf Championships event.
The Northern Irishman fired an eight under par 63 to take a one shot lead over Dustin Johnson.
Meanwhile Justin Thomas and Matt Kuchar are two strokes back on seven under par.
Meanwhile 14-time major winner Tiger Woods is on level par, eight shots off the pace.
New Zealand crush South Africa to reach T20 World Cup final
Finn Allen plundered the fastest century in Twenty20 World Cup history to lead New Zealand into the final with a nine-wicket demolition of South Africa at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Dave Rennie becomes first Pacific Islander to lead All Blacks
Dave Rennie was named as replacement for Scott Robertson as coach of the All Blacks on Wednesday and charged with taking New Zealand to a fourth World Cup triumph in Australia next year.
FIFA offering $12 tickets to World Cup Play-Off Tournament
Tickets for this month's World Cup Play-Off Tournament matches in Mexico, which will determine two of the final six vacant spots in this summer's historic 48-team tournament, went on sale Tuesday.
Resurgent Wolves stun Liverpool, Everton enjoy home comfort
Resurgent bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers have stunned Liverpool with a last-gasp 2-1 win at a rocking Molineux on Tuesday to offer a glimpse of a miraculous escape from relegation while putting a big dent in the top-five hopes of Arne Slot's side.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo to miss World Cup for Brazil
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has a ruptured ACL and meniscus in his right knee, likely keeping him out of this summer's World Cup for his native Brazil.
