Viktor Hovland one shot back in Abu Dhabi, Rory McIlroy level par

Viktor Hovland is only one stroke off the lead on a low scoring day at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. 

The DP World Tour kicked off its first Rolex Series event of 2022 with a new course: Yas Links. 

This course took three years to construct but for Hovland it took roughly five hours to deconstruct. 

Playing at more than 7,400 yards off the tee, the young Norwegian made easy work of his first day. 

Rory McIlroy struggled his way to an underwhelming even-par 72. 

Birdie
Birdie
Par
Birdie
Birdie
Birdie@IanJamesPoulter makes a strong start and moves to -5. #ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/E1XuqmQJdA

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 20, 2022

Hovland, 24, was flawless on the front nine, notching five birdies to make the turn at a 5-under 31.

The only blemish of his round came at the par-4 12th when he dropped a shot. 

That was offset by three birdies returning home to card an 8-under 64. 

At day's end, it was Scotland's Scott Jamieson who held the clubhouse lead by one stroke. 

A bogey-free 63 proved somewhat of a surprise for the Scot, who said: "I just played really solid all day." 

Elsewhere, Ian Poulter was on the charge early doors, making five birdies in his opening six holes. 

He had to settle for an opening round of 6-under and sits within the top 10. 

Tyrrell Hatton also played well, too. Victor Perez has started strongly. So has Thomas Pieters.

Related: Rory McIlroy struggles on day one in Abu Dhabi

Related: Collin Morikawa's lofty 2022 goals

Leaderboard top 10

Scott Jamieson -9 

Viktor Hovland -8 

Thomas Pieters -7 

Victor Perez -6

Tyrrell Hatton -6

Ian Poulter -6

James Morrison -6

Takumi Kanaya -6

Charl Schwartzel -6

Thomas Detry -5

Shane Lowry -5

Marcus Kinhult -5

Dialled in

Birdie for @TommyFleetwood1 at 14 and he moves to -4. #ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/pyLZHmkM87

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 20, 2022

More: Bryson on his 'sticking point' relationship with Cobra

More: The 6ft 9ins bomber making his PGA Tour debut

Next page: Tommy Fleetwood on his difficult 2021