Padraig Harrington currently lies in joint third position in the Dubai Classic after an excellent first round 68.
The Dubliner is on -6, two shots off leaders Tiger Woods and Thomas Bjorn.
He is not the only Irishman performing well out there, though.
Eamonn Darcy is on -4, Des Smyth a further shot back, Paul McGinley on -2 and David Higgins finished on level par.