The 2004 British Open champion needed just 26 putts to move to 11-under par in sunny conditions the on Royal Golf Club course.

The Texan ended his round about 30 minutes before the overnight leading foursome of Italy's Edoardo Molinari, Sweden's Peter Hanson, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez were due to commence play.

Hamilton, 35, earned a 10-year Race to Dubai exemption in defeating Ernie Els in the playoff to capture golf's oldest Major at Royal Troon.

However, his victory in Scotland was good for just a five-year exemption in the United States that ended two years ago and, after failing to hold on to his card in the States last year, Hamilton is competing instead in Europe.

Hamilton recorded eight birdies in his round including a chip-in from off the green at the par-four 15th. His iron play was superb and he did not need to play a putt from more than 10 feet during his round.

His only disappointment came at the last hole, the par five ninth that he was playing as his 18th.

"Given the calm conditions the course was very much there for the taking this morning," he said.

"The greens were very receptive and also still pretty slow, and the course here in Bahrain sort of reminds me of Palm Springs in the States, and I've always enjoyed playing in the part of the country.

"I knew coming down the last that the course record was a 64 so, given it is a par five, I thought I had a good chance of a 63 or maybe a 62.

"But the ninth been a difficult hole for me every day as I've hit good drives there every day, and it's almost like the yardage I have is a half-club too long for one club and it's a half-club too short for the other club.

"So I've tended to take the short club and give it a hit but then I've hit three poor shots every day.

"I knew if I put it on the fairway there at nine I had a good chance of walking off with the new course record, as the hole is not playing all that long.

"I just hit a poor second shot that again found the bunker."