Hoey hits form in Qatar

Rory McIlroy is not the only Irish golfer to benefit from lengthy practice in Dubai, with Michael Hoey now reaping the reward after shooting 68 on day one of the Qatar Masters.

Hoey posted six birdies to be just four shots behind South African George Coetzee, who shot an eight under par 64 on the Doha Golf Club course.

Fellow South African Dawie Van Der Walt and England’s Steve Webster share second on seven under, with Webster claiming the second albatross in three events this year when he started his round holing a 254-yard second shot.