Commercial Bank Qatar Masters: First round updates
The first round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is in progress at the Doha Golf Club.
Retief Goosen currently holds lead with a score of three-under-par after eighteen holes. The South African teed off from the back and managed three birdies on three of the par-4 holes. However, he dropped a shot at the 15th hole and had to settle
for a score of 2-under-par.
Goosen aka Goose walked towards the first hole of the front nine and smacked a tee shot that crossed the entire fairway and fell on the rough 9 meters from the green. The 41-year-old changed the club and hit the power wedge, which made the ball to scoop
and roll near the flag. Goose putted easily to claim the first birdie of the day.
He attempted another birdie on the fourth hole, but the ball missed the hole after hitting the flagstick and he had to mark a bogey on the scorecard. Goose picked one more point on the closing hole and walked to the clubhouse with the score of 60.
Another South African replicated the same score after twelve holes. Thomas Aiken picked three birdies, but dropped two shots and lost the edge. However, on the front nine, he fired two back-to-back birdies on the opening holes to compile a scorecard of 69.
Chances are that the South African will pick a few more points and reach the top of the leaderboard soon.
One stroke below is a group of players that include Robert Karlsson. The Swede too teed off from the back, as the greens on the closing holes were comparatively easier to handle. He made use of the advantage and picked two points for a loss of one hole.
However, on the front nine, he failed to pick up a single point as he dropped two shots that resulted into two bogeys.
Ian Poulter once again failed to impress the crowd and the critics in the opening round. The flamboyant Englishman failed to comprehend the course and struggled on the back. He carved three bogeys on the back, owing to the strong winds prevailing against
the direction of the course. However, on the front, he managed four birdies and settled at par.
Meanwhile, Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen gave a terrible performance and could not keep their score in par. The duo settled for one-over-par each.