McGrane finds some form in dusty Doha

Damien McGrane was revelling in the trying conditions before officials called a halt to play and later announced the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters was being reduced to 54 holes.

McGrane was on the first green of his round and already five under par for the day when play was stopped.

However Lee Westwood and Doha champion, Thomas Bjorn did not take too kindly to the announcement with the pair observed in a lively 10-minute discussion at the Doha Club practice range with chief referee, Andy McFee.

Westwood later accepted the decision.

“The holes we played this morning, other than dust blowing across the 15th, the wind was playable and the ball wasn’t moving on the greens,” he said.

“But I understand the European Tour had to take the whole golf course into account and they’ve mentioned that balls were moving around on the fifth and seventh greens. It probably reduces my chances of winning but you have those weeks.”

McGrane arrived in Doha having missed the cut in his first event, the Joburg Open and then ending well back last week in Abu Dhabi. But having signed a first-ever club deal in his career, he started his round at six over par and was out in 31 with birdies at his third and fourth holes and then three in succession from his seventh where McGrane drove the green and two-putted for birdie from 25-feet. McGrane holed a 20-foot birdie putt from right of the flag at the next and then landed a lob-wedge to six feet at his ninth.

“It was great start and I managed to pick up a few birdies on the holes where I had opportunities. It’s nice when that happens and it’s got me right back up the board. But it was the right decision to call a halt as it was pumping out there and also very dusty.”

Graeme McDowell was over par after six holes while Michael Hoey was p two over through 10 holes. Included in Hoey’s round was a sixth hole triple bogey.

American John Daly, who had not commenced his round, led the event on five under par and with first round leader, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano falling back into a share of second on four under having dropped two strokes in seven holes.