Amateur Denison shows his class

AMATEUR Danny Denison put pre-tournament favourites Vijay Singh and Ernie Els in the shade as the sun shone on his brilliant opening round at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in Doha.

The 20-year-old, who is based at Howley Hall Golf Club in Leeds, lies just one stroke off the lead held by Ricardo Gonzalez, of Argentina, and Swede Henrik Stenson after the Yorkshireman shot a five-under-par 67.

Best of the Irish is Paul McGinley, who shot a 69. Darren Clarke had a 71 while Peter Lawrie and Damian McGrane are a shot further back.