Former Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters took advantage of benign morning conditions to lead a world-class field in the inaugural Saudi International.

Pieters, who won a record four points on his debut at Hazeltine in 2016, carded a seven-under-par 63 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to finish two shots clear of a six-strong group which includes the English duo of Alfie Plant and Ross Fisher.

World number one Justin Rose is seven shots off the pace after an opening 70, with three-time major winner Brooks Koepka a shot better off and world number three Dustin Johnson on two under following a 68.

“I hit my wedges and short irons really close to the hole,” said Pieters, who partnered Thomas Detry to a World Cup victory for Belgium in November. “I think I had maybe 10 good chances for birdie and made seven of them. It was a very good day on the greens, as well.

“If you play in the morning you’re going to have to make a good score. It needs some wind, and with wind, they can tuck the pins away pretty good here. The last eight, nine holes we got a bit of wind, but maybe half a club wind, so it’s not that much.”

Plant, who won the silver medal as leading amateur in the Open in 2017, made the most of receiving an invite to the £2.6million event by starting from the 10th and racing to the turn in just 28 before dropping two shots on the inward nine.

“I didn’t realise I was on 28 until I’ve just come in,” the 26-year-old said. “I’ve never shot 28 before, on the front nine or back nine.”

Rose, who came into the week on the back of claiming a 10th PGA Tour title in San Diego on Sunday, blamed a poor day on the greens for an opening round containing three birdies and three bogeys.

“We had it calm this morning and knew tomorrow afternoon obviously the wind is going to pick up, so you had to take advantage of the golf course this morning,” Rose said.

“I had the opportunity to hit a lot of shots close to the hole and couldn’t make the putts.

“Collectively our group was probably the worst putting round I’ve seen for three professional golfers in a long, long time, but the greens were very tricky, very, very grainy. It was tough to factor it in, really, I think.

“I certainly missed 10 putts probably within six to 10 feet range. You make half of those and it’s a good round of golf.”

World number five Bryson DeChambeau, who won by seven shots in Dubai at the weekend, kept his hopes of back-to-back wins alive with a first round of 68.