Luck's in for Padraig Harrington as he makes a fast start

Padraig Harrington, emerging from a winter when he made yet more changes to his game, had a dream start to his season today.

The three-time Major winner is without a European Tour victory since the 2008 USPGA but a sevenunderpar 65 saw him set the early pace at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

He had a flukey eagle at the long eighth where his chip hit the flag at speed and dropped in. He said: "It was a shock it went in at that pace."

The clubhouse leader from Ireland was one shot ahead of Swede Alexander Noren and two in front of Germany's Martin Kaymer, who is defending his title.

World No1 Lee Westwood, who missed the cut in the event last year, opened with a 69 but Ian Poulter crashed to a 75 and was down near the rear of a star-studded field.

Constantly making adjustments to his swing, Harrington also has a new putting routine for this campaign. And just as important as the lucky eagle was a closing 12-foot par putt after finding sand.

"The first putt of the day I was away with the fairies but I made the most out of the round - another day that would have been 69," he said. "In the States last year I was about 156th in every putting category, so something needed to be done."

Masters champion Phil Mickelson, US Open winner Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and new Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal were among the later starters.