Tommy Fleetwood knows nothing can be won after the first round at the Abu Dhabi Championship, but the in-form Ryder Cup star made a flying start.

Reigning FedEx Cup champion Fleetwood carded eight birdies and no bogeys as one of five players to end Thursday sharing the lead.

New Zealand's Kazuma Kobori, South African Richard Sterne and Frenchman Adrien Saddier all finished on an eight-under 64 as well after the first day of action in the United Arab Emirates.

And Fleetwood's long-time friend, Shane Lowry fired nine birdies and dropped a single shot on his way to joining the quintet of first-round leaders.

"I played well. I was very, very good off the tee and I think I made some good decisions off the tee," two-time former champion Fleetwood said after his immaculate opening.

"I felt very comfortable with the shots that I chose and I hit. I think I made a big par save on the 12th and followed that with a birdie, which was, I think, a crucial part of the round if it's going to be a very, very good round.

"It's Thursday. You can obviously play your way out of it. You can't win it, but eight under is a really nice way to start."

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Lowry's only blemish came on the 12th hole, having made four front-nine birdies and picking up another five shots on the closing half.

"I just like the place. The condition of it is amazing, and I just see my way around here pretty well. Hopefully I can put four rounds together this week," Lowry, Fleetwood's Ryder Cup team-mate, added.

Nicola Hojgaard and Alex Noren are among a seven-player chasing pack on seven under.

Kobori, meanwhile, made an eagle and six birdies in an equally impressive first-round outing for his share of the lead.

"At the start it was very dicey, but held it together and got on a run early in the back nine. Just kept playing good golf, so it was good," he said of his performance.