Donaldson leads the way in Desert

Former Ryder Cup star 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.

Donaldson, who secured the winning point for Europe at Gleneagles in 2014, began his round on the back nine of Emirates Golf Club and fired nine birdies and an eagle in his first 16 holes.

This 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 still ended the day with a one-shot lead over David Horsey and Anthony Wall, with Tyrrell Hatton a shot further back and Rory McIlroy part of a group on seven under on a day when more than 100 of the 132-strong field broke par.

Donaldson reached a career high of 23rd in the world in 2014, but has struggled for form and fitness since winning the Thailand Golf Championship in December 2015 and was lucky to escape serious injury to his left hand the following month after an accident with a chainsaw while gardening.

“I’m not going to lie to you, I was thinking about it (shooting 59),” the world No 292 said. “I birdied five and then thought if I just birdie 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 and then jumping in the lake on the last.”