JAMIE Donaldson posted a decent round of 70 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Thursday.

The Macclesfield professional won his European Tour card back for this season after finishing fourth in last year's Challenge Tour order of merit, and proved he can still cut it with the elite with a fine first round performance.

Donaldson had five birdies and three bogeys en route to his two under par total, four shots behind early leader Martin Kaymer of Germany.

Warrington's Phil Archer carded a 71 while Nick Dougherty signed for a rollercoaster round of 72.

Dougherty had five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey at the 18th.