Jamie:I thoughtI couldget glory59
JAMIE DONALDSON flirted with carding the first 59 on the European Tour before having to settle for an opening 62 in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The former Ryder Cup star began his round on the back nine of Emirates Golf Club and fired nine birdies and an eagle in his first 16 holes.
That left the Welshman needing two more birdies to break the magical 60 barrier.
But after almost chipping in on the eighth and tapping in for par, the 42-year-old bogeyed the ninth to miss out on equalling the course record of 61.
Donaldson finished on 10 under and holds a one-shot lead over David Horsey and Anthony Wall, with Tyrrell Hatton a shot further back.
Rory McIlroy is part of a group on seven under as more than 100 of the 132-strong field broke par.
Donaldson reached a career high of 23rd in the world four years ago but has struggled for form and fitness since winning the Thailand Golf Championship in December 2015.
The world No.292 said: “I was thinking about shooting 59. I birdied five and then thought if I just birdied them all coming in, I’ve done it.
“Sometimes you’re best not thinking and just keep playing but I was picturing birdieing them all.
“Unfortunately I pushed my tee shots on eight and nine but I’m very happy with how I’ve played and 59 is only a bonus anyway.”
McIlroy continued his impressive comeback from injury with a bogey-free 65 which takes him to 25 under par for the first five rounds since returning.
The 28-year-old said: “I don’t think you could have got better conditions out there. So you needed to take advantage of it. Thankfully I was able to do that. A 65 is a satisfying result.”