Daly, a two-time major-winner, whose troubled personal life and on-course petulant behaviour has often overshadowed his golf for several years, produced a bogey-free round in blustery conditions at the Doha Golf Club to set himself up nicely for the remainder of the tournament.

  Looking much trimmer now, Daly began steadily by parring the first two holes before picking up a shot on the par-3 third and then stroked two more birdies before the turn even as a sandstorm raged over the course.

  Two more birdies, on the 13th and 16th, put the former US PGA Championship and British Open winner in a solid position to launch his bid to become the first American to win the tournament.

  Finch was five under after 16 holes with Korean K.J. Choi a shot behind having completed his first round.

  Swedish Ryder Cup star Peter Hanson was a further shot behind on three-under after 18 holes. Finch joined the leading group when he responded to a bogey at the 14th with four birdies over the next six holes.

  Big-hitting Alvaro Quiros, the 2009 champion, also looked in good form when he picked up shots over the first two holes but a double bogey on the eighth and two more bogeys later in the round saw him finish his first round at a level-par 72.

  Defending champion Thomas Bjorn, world number three Lee Westwood and Masters and US Open runner-up Jason Day were amongst the later starters.