Luke Donald rolls back years to lead in Abu Dhabi at eight-under

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald upstaged many players who will be in his team by shooting an eight-under 64 to take the first-round lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday.

Donald rolled in a four foot putt at No. 9, his last hole, to close with four straight birdies and have nine in total on his card at the start of one of the top events on the European tour schedule, and the first of 2023.

The 45-year-old Englishman's last title was in 2012, when he was the world's top-ranked golfer. He spent a combined 56 weeks as No. 1 in 2011-12 as a regular winner on both sides of the Atlantic.

Now ranked No. 541, Donald's name is rarely seen on leaderboards but his profile has been raised by getting the Ryder Cup captaincy for the contest against the United States outside Rome in September.

A win at Yas Island Links this week could put him in contention of being a playing captain.

"It was 1975, I think, the last time that happened," Donald said, with a smile. "No, we are a long way from that."

Still, the likes of Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood, all players expected to be in Europe's team at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, couldn't live with Donald on a day when scoring was lower among the morning starters before wind picked up.

Guido Migliozzi, an Italian with a chance of making the Ryder Cup team, and Australia's Jason Scrivener shot 65 and were one stroke off the lead. Irishman Seamus Power, PGA TOUR FedExCup leader also with Ryder Cup hopes, shot a 66 and was alone in fourth place.

Lowry, the highest-ranked player in the field, and rejuvenated Italian Francesco Molinari, coming off a good week at the Hero Cup last week, were in a group on five-under par after 67s.

"Just kind of suits my eye," said Donald. "It's not too tight off the tee. You have to pick some good lines."