Julien Guerrier was quick to give credit to his caddie after he carded a bogey-free 67 in his first competitive round over the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Frenchman is enjoying a career year on the DP World Tour, qualifying for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship for the first time after securing three top threes, including his best finish of second at the Porsche European Open.
And he showed no signs that he was a rookie at the season finale, making five birdies on day one to set the early target in Dubai.
Guerrier's caddie Chris Liley is no stranger to this part of the world having spent over 20 years on Tour, most notably nine seasons with Raphaël Jacquelin, and the 38-year-old was happy to lean on his experience.
"I just tried to be really disciplined because I don't really know this course," said Guerrier. "My caddie has more experience on this course than me, so I just listen to him. I try to play in the zone and I did it correctly.
"It's a really tough course. It's very demanding from the tee because if you are in the rough, it's really difficult to hit the greens and it's not too firm, the greens, actually. So it's more friendly.
"But it's very difficult for the green on the fairway. I was struggling during my practice round to find a way to shape around the green and then even the wedge shots, it's not easy, so I tried to manage that.
"It's a bonus week. Of course we try to play the best game we can and we'll see at the end, it's just a gift."
Countryman Antoine Rozner was one shot further back after making five birdies of his own but also adding a bogey at the ninth.
The three-time DP World Tour winner is playing this event for the fourth consecutive season but shares Guerrier's freewheeling attitude as he looks for a first Rolex Series victory.
"Honestly, I have nothing to lose to be here," he said. "I'm 36th in the Race to Dubai. I have absolutely nothing to lose.
"It's all in for me this week. I'm going to try to be aggressive and stay aggressive for four rounds, so if I can do that, I'll be pretty happy with it."
