Henrik Stenson, Andrew Coltart and Miguel Angel Jimenez share the early lead after opening rounds of six-under par 66 at the $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy.
Between them Stenson - the 2006 champion – and 1998 winner Coltart have made eighteen previous appearances at Doha Golf Club and their familiarity with the course was obvious.
After a round that produced seven birdies and just one dropped shot, Stenson said: “I was not at my best but I putted well so it’s all down to the putter. There are always good scoring conditions early on. The set up of the course is as good as we’ve ever seen it.”
As for Coltart, the first ever winner in Qatar turned back the clock with a vintage performance on what is his eleventh tournament over the 7,388-yard course and his place at the top of the leaderboard is a welcome return after a difficult spell left him relying on sponsor invites.
“My career wasn't really going anywhere other than one direction, down,” said the Scot after carding just one bogey in a round that also included five birdies and an eagle. “I wasn’t achieving anything out on the golf course, ended up losing the card last year and had to go back to Tour School.”
Card regained and confidence restored, Coltart admitted he is relishing being back in among the best in the game – this week’s field is the strongest ever seen in any European Tour event outside of the Open and the BMW PGA.
“Having a field as good as this is a tremendous achievement for the tournament,” added Coltart. “Doha has created a niche for itself in the sporting world thanks to events like this and the tennis championships. It really has improved immensely over the years, while the golf course we have here has been set up really well.”
The two were joined on six-under par by Jimenez whose flawless round of 66 featured six birdies, despite the Spaniard suffering from a minor skiing injury.
“I was skiing in Sierra Nevada, fell down holding my son and I got the stick between my hand and the ground tore some ligaments in my thumb,” he said. “It hurts a little bit, especially with the long clubs. With the short clubs, it's fine, but with the long clubs, that's when you feel the pain.”
Closely shadowing the leaders is a group of five players on five-under par (67), including former European No.1 Lee Westwood.
Despite a month away from the game and using a new set of clubs, Westwood at one stage enjoyed a one-shot lead after his first competitive round of the year.
“Patience is the key on this course,” said Westwood, who shares joint fourth place with Anders Hansen, Brett Rumford, Robert Dinwiddie and Louis Oosthuizen. “It has been set up fair and the greens are excellent. But if the wind picks up as it can and hits 15-20mph then this will be a real test.”
While big guns Stenson, Jimenez and Westwood enjoyed good opening rounds, it was an unremarkable first day for Paul Casey (76), Boo Weekley (74) and defending champion Adam Scott (73), while Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia are handily placed on two under par (70) with Retief Goosen on three under (69).
Leading Scores After Round One
66 (-6): Jimenez (Sp), Stenson (Swe), Coltart (Sco)
67 (-5): Westwood (Eng), Rumford (Aus), Hansen (Den), Oosthuizen (RSA), Dinwiddie (Eng)
68 (-4): Baddeley (Aus), Karlsson (Swe), Sandelin (Swe) Lafeber (NL), Dougherty (Eng), Broadhurst (Eng)
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