Slow start for star names in Doha

It was a rough start for some of the big names at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in Doha today.

American Steve Stricker had four bogeys in his first six holes before coming back with a birdie, England’s Ian Poulter was also three over par and world number one Lee Westwood – third last year – only one better than that.

In danger of losing top spot on the rankings to German Martin Kaymer, the eight-shot runaway winner in Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago, Westwood bogeyed the 13th and 14th after commencing his opening round on the back nine.

Kaymer was among the later starters, but Sergio Garcia mixed three bogeys with three birdies to turn at level par and sponsor’s invite John Daly was a picture of steadiness by comparison.

The former Open champion’s only deviation from par on the inward half was a birdie at the 429-yard 12th and on one under he was alongside defending champion Robert Karlsson and just one off the lead held by five players – South African Retief Goosen, England’s Richard Finch and David Lynn, Welshman Bradley Dredge and Austrian Markus Brier.

Finch, who closed with a course-record 63 in Bahrain last week, defied the windy conditions to reach the turn in a superb 32.

On four under he was one in front of Karlsson, who made birdie fours on both the 18th and first, and 2007 winner Goosen.

Westwood had to wait until the 18th for his first birdie and so began for home one over, but Stricker was down on four over after yet another bogey at the short 17th.