Rafael Cabrera-Bello carded a stellar nine-under 63 to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday.
The Spaniard, starting on the back nine, birdied nine of his first 11 holes before completing his round with seven consecutive pars at the Emirates Golf Club.
Cabrera-Bello is clear of German Marcel Siem and Scotland's Scott Jamieson, who both managed seven-under 65s.
There are seven players tied for fourth at six-under, including world No.2 Rory McIlroy and German Martin Kaymer.
Northern Irishman McIlroy birdied seven of his last 10 holes, while Kaymer finished his round with an eagle.
Earlier, Cabrera-Bello stood on the 12th tee eyeing the European Tour's first-ever round of 59, and said he thought about the possibility.
"Just for a second after the birdie on No.2 (his 11th hole) I tried to do the maths on what I needed for 59," he said.
"Then I told myself to stop being foolish and don't be too greedy. Nothing wrong happened - there were some tough holes to come and I didn't drop a stroke."
"It's a really, really good score, but in itself it means nothing. If you want to stay grounded you think of how many leaders of the first round win the tournament - not that many."
US Open champion McIlroy went close to a hole-in-one on the 15th, a feat Scot Stephen Gallacher managed, after a birdie on the 9th sparked his round following a slow start.
The others at six-under are in-form Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, Frenchmen Gregory Bourdy and Romain Wattel, Dane Thomas Bjorn and South African Richard Sterne.
Defending champion Alvaro Quiros finished the day at two-under after bogeying three of his first four holes.
Brett Rumford and Matthew Zions are the best-placed Australians seven strokes off the pace on two-under in equal 35th position.