Kaymer off to a good start in the new golf year

Defending champion tommy fleetwood of england and japan’s hideto tanihara both shot 66 to take the lead after the first day of the three-million-dollar european tour event.

The event in the united arab emirates is one of kaymer’s favorite tournaments. In 2008, 2010 and 2011, the two-time major winner had won the abu dhabi championship. The former number one in the world played six birdies in round one. However, kaymer also had to accept three stroke losses with three bogeys on the par-72 course in the desert.

Like kaymer, northern ireland’s star rory mcilroy also put in a good performance on day one. The four-time major winner also finished his round with a score of 69. Dustin johnson, the world’s top-ranked player, was not able to show his full class at the start of the tournament. The 33-year-old from the USA could not go beyond a par round of 72 and a 69th place finish.

Maximilian kieffer from dusseldorf (73 strokes/89.) and marcel siem from ratingen (75/115.) will have to improve on the second day if they are to qualify for the final two rounds.