Martin Kaymer leads the way with an opening 66 - Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2008

Kaymer, the 2007 European rookie of the year, opened with an eagle and moved one shot clear of Sweden's Henrik Stenson as sunshine welcomed the players on the first tee after record rainfall over the last few days.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson and Adam Scott of Australia led the chasing pack on 68, one shot ahead of Peter Hedblom (Sweden), Lee Westwood (England) and Spain's Ignacio Garrido.

It was Kaymer who held the centre-stage after opening with an eagle on the 10th - his first hole -- at the start of the European Tour's 'desert swing'.

"I was very nervous at the start, but that eagle steadied my nerve," he said. "What really spurred me on was Henrik's 67 earlier in the day.

"I thought how could he shoot such a good number off this tough course, now I know," added Kaymer, who said he would have felt great just to make the cut here.

"Now I am leading, and that feels nice. I am driving the ball accurately off the tee and I am putting well too. I am not feeling the extra pressure of leading the tournament, instead it has made more relaxed."

Stenson attributed his solid round to some excellent putting.

"Overall, it was a nice round. I am not sure whether I overpowered the course, but definitely I putted well," he said. "I made four long putts and that made the difference."

Stenson needs a victory here to become holder of all three titles in the 'desert swing' which includes stops in Doha and Dubai.

"If that (a hat-trick in the desert) happens, it would be great. It's definitely one of my goals to win this championship," he added.

Defending champion Paul Casey stumbled and stuttered to a three over par 75 to slip way down the leaderboard while British Open champion Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke remained in contention to make the cut on level-par 72.