England’s Oliver Wilson and Welshman Bradley Dredge share the lead on five under par after a windswept opening day at the $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy.
Despite a bitterly cold desert wind whipping across Doha Golf Club, Wilson (pictured below) and Dredge coped best with the conditions shooting 67 to edge one shot ahead of a four-man pack that contains both Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson – European number ones in each of the past two years. Also one back on 68 (-4) are Sweden’s Alex Noren and German Marcel Siem.
“Obviously I’m really pleased,” said Wilson, who despite nine runners-up spots has yet to win on the European Tour.
“It’s strange as it didn't really feel that hard. I got in and realised the scores and it’s been playing tough out there for a lot of guys. But I was a bit disappointed I didn't pick up more shots coming in as I had some good chances, but all in all, really happy.”
Six birdies and just one bogey was a brilliant performance by Wilson on a day when several more celebrated names struggled in the conditions. Equally impressive was Dredge who bounced back from a bogey on his opening hole to also rack up six birdies – five of them coming in a seven-hole blitz ending with one on the 18th that was holed in near darkness.
“I holed it from 20‑foot but just saw the ball disappear,” said Dredge. “I was hoping it was in the hole but I wasn't too sure. The forecast was for the wind to die down on the back nine and it did that so we were fortunate.
“I played nicely today and five‑under is a nice result. The birdie run was on tough holes so I was very pleased with that little run.”
Westwood, who once had Wilson as a caddie in their junior days, appeared to revel in the conditions and refused to join in with those who have deemed the course too tough, claiming it was on par with the Majors.
“The course is probably the hardest I've seen it, but I like it like this,” said the world number four and current European number one.
“It's almost like a major championship set-up - a US Open - with the firm greens and the thick rough. It gives you a warm feeling when you hear people moaning about the set-up. But to penalise inaccurate play, you've got to reward accurate play for people who hit the fairway, and one of the ways to do that is to get the greens firm.”
For Karlsson it was a welcome return to the sharp end of the leader board after a year blighted by injury. It was a round of 68 (-4) that also included the shot of the day, a 182-yard eight iron that produced an eagle two on the notoriously difficult fifteenth.
“My caddie told me I hit every green out there which was pretty good,” said the Swede. “It meant I had a lot of long putts but that is what you have to do when it’s windy. But I am obviously very happy.”
Less pleased with their day’s work will be a host of golfing big guns that failed to tame the conditions and the course. Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie could only manage a 76 (+4), former champion Henrik Stenson shot 75 (+3), while American world number 13 Kenny Perry and world number six Martin Kaymer of Germany both carded 74 (+2). Defending champion Alvaro Quiros had an up and down day before finishing in joint 15th on 71 (-1).
