Irish master windy conditions to remain on course in Qatar

CAREERS honed on the windswept links gems of Ireland paid dividends for all six Irish players on the opening day of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.

It seemed the tougher the conditions the better it suited the Irish, with Shane Lowry and Gareth Maybin leading the way with one-under par 71s on a bright but extremely windy day in the Qatar capital.

Peter Lawrie carded a level par 72, Graeme McDowell a 73, while Michael Hoey and Damien McGrane, with respective scores of 74 and 75, remain very much in the four-round picture.