Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre again delivered under the Ryder Cup spotlight in muscling his way to just three shots off the lead after the opening round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

MacIntyre birdied both his opening two holes and the closing pair for a five-under par 67 on the Emirates course.

South African Richard Sterne grabbed nine birdies in an eight-under par 64 and with Sergio Garcia, and winner of the Dubai event in 2017 and just two months before also capturing the Masters, signing for a 66 to be sharing third.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre shoots a 67 on day one of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and in the company of European Ryder Cup Vice-Captain Robert Karlsson

MacIntyre was eighth on his debut in the event a year ago and he again showed his fondness for the first full 18-hole ‘natural’ course to be built in the UAE.

Though the only pressure the Oban lefty found himself was having European Ryder Cup vice-captain, Robert Karlsson as a playing partner, and this after being grouped a week ago for the first two rounds in Abu Dhabi with captain, Padraig Harrington.

Harrington was so impressed he went as far to suggest the young Scot was good enough to qualify for his Wisconsin side.

MacIntyre said: “I bumped into Robert in the hotel lift on Wednesday and he said to me jokingly, ‘oh aye, we are keeping an eye on you’.

“But, at the end of the day, they are just playing partners. They are selecting a team, which is fair enough.

“If I am going to be in that team, there are no picks happening. I’m just focusing on my golf, attacking pins and trying to hole some putts”.

Karlsson, and 27-years older than the Scot, posted a level par 72 with four birdies and just as many bogeys.

Next best of the eight Scots is Scott Jamieson with a 70 and Richie Ramsay 71.