Retief Goosen lived up to his billing as the tournament favourite by making a good start to his Abu Dhabi Golf Championship campaign but he was upstaged by Englishman Philip Archer who topped the leaderboard after completing his round.

Goosen, making his debut in the event, carded the first eagle of the day alongside three birdies to close on a six under par 66.

But 10 birdies for Archer, including three in succession from the third and again from the 16th, cemented an impressive start at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club By Sheraton and is three shots ahead of Goosen at nine-under.

Nick Dougherty did not drop a shot during his round, carding six birdies and making par with the rest to join Goosen at six under, and two shots behind him is Sergio Garcia at four under.

It was also a good day for French amateur Julien Guerrier, who closed with a four under par 68.

Elsewhere, Colin Montgomerie enjoyed a solid start to the tournament as he carded a three under par 69.

Ireland's Graeme McDowell carded an opening round 71 and sits eight shots off the lead.  Gary Murphy is a shot further back on level par

Of the afternoon tee-offs, Padraig Harrington is two under after eight holes carding birdies on the second, fourth and fifth and a bogey on the third.

Compatriots Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie are one-under and one-over after six and seven holes respectively.