Oosthuizen, Larrazabal set the pace in Qatar

Former British Open champion Oosthuizen made seven birdies at Doha Golf Club to make an excellent start in his bid to win his first tournament of 2016, a feat he has achieved in four of the last five years.

"I like windy conditions," Oosthuizen told the European Tour website. "If it gets really strong, then it gets difficult.

"There are a lot of cross-wind shots, where you're not sure if it's in or a little down, so you need to have that wind map out and handy."

Former Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium was among a group of players one shot further back.

Defending champion Branden Grace of South Africa and 2014 Qatar winner Sergio Garcia carded opening rounds of 70.

(Reporting by Ed Osmond; editing by Toby Davis)