Matteo Manassero shot an 8-under 62 on Thursday in the opening round of the PIF Saudi International to take the lead in King Abdullah Economic City.
Manassero had eight birdies at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club and leads by two shots.
“It was one of those days in which everything was going my way. I was playing really solid, giving myself a lot of birdie chances, a lot of really short ones,” said Manassero in a statement released by the tournament.
Sam Horsfield, Adri Arnaus, Harold Varner III, Ryosuke Kinoshita and Bubba Watson are all tied at 6 under.
Dustin Johnson, the defending champion, shot a 5-under 65, as did Matthew Wolff and 19-year old Joohyung Kim from Korea.
“It was awesome (playing with Johnson),” Kim said in a statement. “I hope the TV got my smiles because I was having the time of my life.”
Other notables: Patrick Reed (4 under), Xander Schauffele (3 under), and Bryson DeChambeau (3 over).