Renato Paratore played himself back into form at the Saudi International powered by SBIA with a five-under-par 65 in his opening round at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
The Italian has been struggling to produce consistent form that saw him burst onto the scene as a 17 year old when he became the third youngest player in history to earn a card on the European Tour through Qualifying School in 2014.
Paratore only recorded three top-ten finishes in the whole of the 2018 campaign from 27 tournaments, with the most recent of those coming at the Porsche European Open in July.
Since then, he has made eight cuts from the subsequent 13 events but has only featured in the top 20 on one occasion - at the Australian PGA Championship in December, where he finished tied for 19th.
And having negotiated strong winds on Thursday afternoon, the 22 year old could be a serious contender to add to his sole European Tour title at the 2017 Nordea Masters when he starts his second round in what should be calmer conditions on Friday morning.
It could have got even better for Paratore during his first round within King Abdullah Economic City as he raced to four under through five holes.
He picked up another shot at the ninth, only to hand it back at the next before his luck deserted him.
The Rome native lipped out a putt for a gain at the 11th but managed to pick up another shot at the 13th to move to five under.
However, he could not break the five-under-par barrier as he lipped out once again at the 15th, while he was inches short from holing out from the bunker at the par-three next - both birdie opportunities.
Another birdie putt looked destined for the cup at the 17th, only to horseshoe to the disbelief of the Italian before his putt at last to go six under pulled up agonisingly short.
