Henrik Stenson joked a lack of sleep and a lack of practice was the key storming his way to a two shot lead courtesy of an eight under par 64 on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The Swede kick-started the first event of his 16th full European Tour season looking to follow up on a brilliant 2016 that saw him named ‘AGW Golfer of the Year’ and on Monday also named ‘2016 Swedish Male Sports Star of the Year’.

Stenson ended the round clear of 17 players, including triple Abu Dhabi winner Martin Kaymer, sharing second place on six under par.

Henrik Stenson on route to an eight under par 64 on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo – European Tour)

Stenson holds the course record in Abu Dhabi after shooting a 62 in 2006 and while he did not go that low, his brilliant form in round one will have given the rest of the field something to worry about.

“It must be the lack of practice that does it,” he said. “Lack of sleep, lack of practice.

“I’m delighted with that score. I think I scored a bit better than what I played but I kept it under control somewhat and hit a couple of close iron shots and made the putts.

“It wasn’t too much stress out there.

“I think if you finish off playing pretty well like I did at the Hero World Challenge, there’s nothing that says you can’t pick it up where you left it.”