Els struggles in Doha

Red-hot favourite Ernie Els was still searching for his first birdie after nine holes of the Qatar Masters in Doha today – and already had a lot of catching up to do.

World number three Els, the only player in the top 50 taking part and winner of the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, began with a bogey six and followed it with eight pars to be six adrift of pacesetters Richard Green, Henrik Stenson and Pierre Fulke.