The DP World Tour Qualifying School graduate made the most of favourable scoring conditions at Al Hamra Golf Club on Thursday, firing nine birdies before dropping his only shot of the day at the 18th after an errant tee-shot.

The 20-year-old Japanese leads the way on eight-under, two shots ahead of Dane Rasmus Højgaard, Italian Edoardo Molinari and England’s Matthew Baldwin.

Ryan Fox was another stroke further back on five-under along with Callum Shinkwin, Alexander Björk, Kazuki Higa, Oliver Bekker and Oliver Hundebøll.

“It was so unreal,” Hisatsune said. “I was just hitting shots, holing putts. Every time I made it. It was so amazing.

“It’s the first time I’ve had six birdies in a row.

“It’s my first event of the year and I was a little nervous at the start. I had to keep making shots, making pars. On the last hole I was so nervous, but it was just a bogey so OK for me.”

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