Westwood sets pace in Qatar

Last updated: 24th January 2008

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Westwood: Opening 67

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Lee Westwood and Anton Haig top the leaderboard after the first round of the Qatar Masters, but a host of big names are hot on their trail.

Westwood, who finished joint second at last week's Abu Dhabi Championship, did not drop a shot during a flawless opening round of 67.

Haig - who claimed his maiden European Tour triumph at last year's Johnnie Walker Classic - carded just one bogey and six birdies as he joined Westwood at -5.

The duo have a two shot lead on a group of seven players that includes big-hitters Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson.

Luke Donald and David Howell are amongst those on -2, while Colin Montgomerie and Rory McIlroy are a further shot adrift.

It was Haig, one of the early starters, who set the clubhouse target as he made light of the blustery conditions to post his 67.

Last week Westwood was left to rue his slow start in Adu Dhabi as Martin Kaymer managed to hold him off to claim a first European victory.

However, playing with Kaymer (+3) on Thursday, the Englishman ensured that would not a problem this time around as he constructed a fine first round.

Starting on the back nine, Westwood reached the turn in 34 after birdies at the 15th and 18th and picked up further strokes at the first, seventh and ninth to match Haig's exploits.

The 34-year-old, who has eight top-10 finishes from his last nine events, admitted afterwards that his confidence is sky-high.

Confidence high

"I played very well again," he stated. "I started off a bit iffy and missed a few greens at the start but I got it together.

"All in all, a pretty solid day's work and I was quite pleased. Confidence is very high at the moment. You can't help be confident.

"You are always mindful after a long break, but in the middle of that I finished fourth at Tiger Woods' event and last week I came out and started slowly after feeling a bit rusty but I got it going and got into the tournament and had a chance on Sunday."

Scott and Garcia were amongst the later finishers and had to battle tougher conditions to post their 69s.

Both men missed presentable birdie opportunities at the last to close the gap on the leaders, but Garcia cut a satisfied figure after his round.

Garcia satisfied

"I played the last 10 holes pretty well, unfortunately I missed a few birdie chances coming in," stated the Spaniard.

"I got around nicely at the beginning and holed a few nice par putts then unfortunately missed a few short ones coming in, but it was good overall as it's the first round of the year.

"I'm not that happy as I could have been around the lead, no further than one back, but it's still a decent round. There was a bit of rust early on and there are some things I need to work on."

Paul Broadhurst, Marcel Siem of Germany and Swedes Johan Edfors, Alexander Noren and Stenson are the other men on -3.

Paul Casey opened his campaign with a lvel-par 72, but it was a bad day for the likes of Ian Poulter (+3), Paul McGinely (+5) and American Scott Verplank (+6).