Tommy Fleetwood hits back at his critics after career first in Abu Dhabi

England's Tommy Fleetwood says he feels as though he is a 'good putter' even though it doesn't always show. 

The Englishman made a blistering start to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the DP World Tour. 

A bogey-free 10-under 62 saw Fleetwood equal the course record at Yas Links. 

It also represented the lowest opening round he has recorded in his career thus far. 

Despite tasting success with the European Ryder Cup team and individual honours on the DP World Tour, Fleetwood is yet to win on the PGA Tour.

Victory at a major championship has also proved elusive.  

Some observers have suggested that Fleetwood lets himself down with poor performances on the greens. 

This week Fleetwood is trying out a new putter. 

"Those who were watching it could look and see if it was working," Fleetwood told reporters after making birdies at 1, 3, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 18. 

He also eagled the par-5 2nd. 

Fleetwood was also spotted talking to Sky Sports' Ken Brown and David Howell during the first round. 

He regards both as two of the best putters he has ever met. 

"Obviously I've worked with Phil Kenyon for a long time," Fleetwood added.

"He's an unbelievable putting coach. You know, I always feel like I'm a good putter. It doesn't always show.

"But definitely sort of the second half of this year, like through the summer I haven't putted as well or converted as many putts as we'd have liked. 

"We've been working on that and I happened to bump into Ken and Howler on the course and we were talking about a couple of things. 

"Working on sort of how I move my head in my stroke in a couple of practise drills and what happens there.

"And it's always nice to have a good discussion. 

"They are two of the best putters I've ever met and any time you're talking to those guys, you're always going to pick something up."

Thorbjorn Olesen and Johannes Veerman were tied on 9-under after 18 holes. 

Tyrrell Hatton, Laurie Canter and Bob MacIntyre were also in the top-10.

Rory McIlroy fired an opening 5-under 67.

Read what McIlroy had to say here. 

Watched our latest YouTube video?