Welshman Stephen Dodd set up a new Saadiyat Beach course record with a sizzling six-under-par 66 to surge into a two-shot lead after the first round in the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open, and the second event on the 2012 MENA Golf Tour.

The 46-year old triple European Tour winner posted eight birdies, offset only by bogeys at the eighth and 18th holes, on route a new low on the Gary Player designed course.

“Everything fell in place today,” said Dodd.

Welshman Stephen Dodd sets a new course record on day one of the 2012 Abu Dhabi Golf Citzen Open. (Photo – www.menatour.com)

“I drove the ball well and hit a lot of good putts and golf, for a change, was quite easy out there.”Dodd had finished runner-up less than a week earlier to England’s Zane Scotland in last week’s Dubai Creek Open.

“It’s a great start to the tournament, but you never know what will happen over the next two days,” added Dodd.

“I have found the early rhythm and getting close to the form where I want to be.

“And that’s something quite satisfying.”

Dodd will head into the second round ahead of England’s Ross McGowan, the winner of the 2009 Madrid Masters along with English amateur Tyler Hogarty and Germany’s Roland Steiner.

Wales’ Brian Lee was a further one shot and snapping on his heels were the English foursome of Steven Munro, Alex Christie, Ian Keenan and Daniel Wardrop, who all shot an identical 70 along with Manish Goyal of India and Fredrik Quicker (Sweden).

Defending Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open champion Scotland, who held the course record, a 67, he shot in the final round last year, settled for a 74 while Asian Tour veteran Yasin Ali carded one-under-par 71 to stay in the mix on a day when 20 players broke par.

England’s McGowan, who could pose a serious threat to Dodd, felt he played overall, but made some silly mistakes which are so easy to make on this challenging course.

“I double bogeyed the fifth after hitting the water and on the 11 and 12th I just couldn’t make up and down,” said McGowan, who is still struggling with a wrist injury he sustained in 2010.

“Take these three holes away, I think I played perfect golf, making some important putts on the back nine.”

Meanwhile, UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh once again endured a frustrating day on the course, signing off with a disappointing 81. “It wasn’t the start I expected. It was tough out there. Hopefully, things would be better tomorrow,” he said.

A new initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour is affiliated to R&A and the Arab Golf Federation. Backed by Omega and Mercedes-Benz, the six-stop Tour boasts a combined prize fund of $325,000.

Leading first round scores:

66 – Stephen Dodd (Wales)

68 – Tyler Hogarty (AM – England), Ross McGowan (England), Roland Steiner (Germany)

69 – Brian Lee (Wales)

70 – Steven Munro (England), Alex Christie (England), Ian Keenan (England), Manish Goyal (India), Fredrik Quicker (Sweden), Daniel Wardrop (England), Chris Chamberlain (UK)

71 – Yasin Ali (England), Berni Reiter (Austria), Talib Hussain (Pakistan), Michael Harradine (AM – Switzerland), Martin LeMesurier (England), Daniel Owen (England), Gary Knight (US), Dale Marmion (England)

72 – Callum Nicoll (Scotland), Gavin Dear (Scotland), Michael Borrett (England), Tom Buchanan (Scotland), Donovan Liddicoat (AM – South Africa), Mitchell Slorach (Singapore), Wira Salleh (Brunei), Brian Njoroge (Kenya).