Rory McIlroy shares the first-round lead with Shane Lowry in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship having shot a six-under round of 66 upon his return to the sport.
The world number one has missed the last six weeks in order to focus on an upcoming court case against his former management company.
However, McIlroy, who has already claimed the Race to Dubai title, carded six birdies and no bogeys in a flawless 66 in order to take an early joint lead.
Lowry made seven birdies, meanwhile, dropping a single shot in Dubai with four of his birdies coming in the final six holes to match his opponent.
Richie Ramsay and Thorbjorn Olesen share second place on six-under, while Emiliano Grillo and defending champion Henrik Stenson find themselves on four-under-par 68 in fifth place.