Jason Scrivener had his best-ever year in Europe in 2019, and he has carried that form on in Abu Dhabi.

Perth’s Scrivener, along with Victorian Zach Murray, is among a strong Australian push at the HSBC Championship on the European Tour.

The Western Australian opened with what he called a “stress-free” 66 to be within two shots of the lead held by Shaun Norris of South Africa and Renato Paratore of Italy at eight-under par.

While his appearance at the top of the leaderboard is no surprise, the pleasant result was produced by 22-year-old Murray, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation.

The man from Wodonga on the Murray made eight birdies in his opening 67 to be tied-fifth and within striking distance in his first start of a season in which he has picked up a European Tour card by finishing top-two on the Australasian Tour money list.

Murray, who was seven-under at one point of his round, has previously won the WA Open and the New Zealand Open and is a Golf Australia rookie squad member.

It was a good day for Australians with Lucas Herbert and Scott Hend also opening with 69s.

MEANWHILE on the US PGA Tour, Sydney’s Cameron Davis led the Australian campaign in the American Express tournament at La Quinta, California today, a few days after he logged his first-ever top-10 finish on the tour.

Davis shot a superb six-under par 66 at the Nicklaus course at PGA West to sit within striking distance of the lead, just two shots back from Americans Zac Blair and Grayson Murray at eight-under.

The New South Welshman is in his second season on the US Tour and had to get through the Korn Ferry Tour finals to retain his play card for 2019-20. He is best known for his 2017 Australian Open victory, which he closed out with a 64 at The Australian.

Davis made six birdies and went bogey-free today.