Des Smyth started strongly in the opening round of the Quatar Masters in Doha this morning and is comfortably on the shoulders of the early leaders.
After a delay of almost two hours due to mist and fog, Smyth teed off in the opening threesome and the veteran Irishman carded a three-under par 69 to lie just three strokes off the lead held by Sweden’s Klas Eriksson at six-under.
A bogey five at the lengthy 15th was the only aberration on Smyth’s card with birdies at the 10th, 17th, 4th and 7th helping to build a solid first day score.
Darren Clarke takes to the course later this morning.
Colin Montgomerie appears to have benefited from the hours of practice put in over the weekend in Dubai. In only his fifth competitive round of the year, the 38-year-old Scot has moved to four-under-par with three to play.
Zimbabwe's Tony Johnstone made a good start to the defence of his title and is in the clubhouse on four under.