The two time Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner is looking good early on in the season's first World Golf Championships event.
The Northern Irishman fired an eight under par 63 to take a one shot lead over Dustin Johnson.
Meanwhile Justin Thomas and Matt Kuchar are two strokes back on seven under par.
Meanwhile 14-time major winner Tiger Woods is on level par, eight shots off the pace.
Atletico hit back to hold Arsenal in cagey Champions League semi-final first leg
Atletico Madrid and Arsenal have traded penalties on Wednesday as Julian Alvarez's second-half spot kick cancelled out Viktor Gyokeres's first-half goal to earn the two sides a 1-1 draw in a Champions League semi-final first leg that simmered more than it sizzled.
Lucky loser Potapova makes history with Madrid Open semi-final run
Anastasia Potapova has turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final with her thrilling 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open on Wednesday.
Britain's Draper to miss French Open with ongoing knee injury
Briton Jack Draper will not compete at next month's French Open as he continues to recover from a knee injury, the former world number four said on Wednesday.
Canadian government allocates $145 million for World Cup security
The Canadian government will allocate up to $145 million for security during the upcoming World Cup, Canada's public safety minister announced on Wednesday.
Clinical Sinner holds off wildcard Jodar to reach Madrid Open semis
World number one Jannik Sinner held off 19-year-old wildcard Rafael Jodar to win 6-2 7-6(0) in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, becoming the sixth player to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP 1000 Masters tournaments.
US President Donald Trump has welcomed the UAE's decision to exit OPEC, telling reporters on Wednesday that he thinks the move could help lower oil prices.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has congratulated Ali Al Zaidi on his designation to form a new government in Iraq during a phone call on Wednesday.
Dubai Police have led a major international operation targeting transnational financial crime, resulting in the arrest of 276 suspects and the dismantling of nine criminal centres linked to investment fraud and virtual currency scams.
