​Bristol’s Chris Wood today fired a superb six under par round of 66 to tie the early lead in the Dubai World Championship.

Wood’s performance was all the more remarkable considering it was his first round for several weeks after injuring his ankle in Spain.

The former silver medal-winner at the Open carded seven birdies and a solitary bogey on day one of the inaugural season-ending tournament.

Speaking after his round, Wood said: “That’s the first time I’ve played 18 holes since the injury. I was on crutches for two and a half weeks, but it’s recovered well.

“The ankle started aching on the 15th tee and I thought I’ll take one under for the closing stretch, but I managed to birdie every one.”

The stretch is known as the “Golden Mile” and designer Greg Norman said he expected it to be "one of the most challenging and exciting miles of golf in terms of risk and reward."

Wood certainly got the reward, pitching to six feet on the 15th, making eight-footers on the next two and then hitting his approach to six feet at the 620 yard last.

“If you give yourself the chances, you're definitely going to make some birdies,” Wood added.

“A good finish can turn your day around like I did today and obviously I've turned it into a really good score.”