United players whip up desert storm on winter break

Some of Manchester United’s biggest stars were amongst the spectators at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha yesterday.

The Old Trafford players flew to the Middle East for some winter sunshine training following their draw with Tottenham on Sunday but enjoyed a few hours away from football with the blessing of manager Alex Ferguson.

Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Johnny Evans, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Rafael were in a group following the fortunes of Colin Montgomerie, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer and Jason Dufner.

And the Premier League stars were impressed by what they saw.

“I just can’t believe how far they hit it,” said Giggs after shaking hands with Rose at the 13th tee. “You watch them hitting off the tee and then you can’t see the ball.

“But it’s like when you see any sport live, it’s so much better and you appreciate how good these guys are.”

Rose — a Chelsea fan — was just as delighted to meet the Manchester United stars.

“It gets your attention out there when you’ve got Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Carrick and those following you,” smiled Rose.

“They’re mega-stars in their sport and it was brilliant to have them out here seeing a bit of golf.

“I’m a diehard arch enemy as I follow Chelsea but it was good having them here at the golf for a few hours.

“It’s an interesting one as I know a lot of Premiership footballers — they all want to be golfers and we all want to be footballers.”

Rose’s demeanour changed at the 17th green when he had to call a penalty on himself when his ball moved, albeit slightly, at address.

“It is the Rules of Golf but I do feel hard done by and it’s just a timing thing, but let’s cut to the chase as the greens are not perfect with little ridges, humps and hollows out there,” said Rose after a round of 68.

“There are also indentations and when I put my putter behind ball, and I know I didn’t cause the ball to move, the ball found a little indentation in the green and I’m deemed to have caused it to move when I know in my heart I didn’t.”

Portugal’s Ricardo Santos birdied his closing two holes in a round of 65 to lead the event by a shot.

Damien McGrane, decked out in a yellow cap, shirt and shoes to help promote a new line of adidas golf shoes, heads the Irish contingent in signing for a 68. Michael Hoey carded a 70, Gareth Maybin and Peter Lawrie hit level par 72s and Paul McGinley a one over 73.