So much for the joy of joining the ‘Belly Putter Brigade’.

Irishman Peter Lawrie felt it timely to go back to a conventional length putter. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Just four rounds after packing a belly putter into his bag and Ireland’s Peter Lawrie’s gone back to a conventional putter.

“Let’s just say I’ve retired the belly putter for the time being,” said Lawrie.

The Dubliner missed the cut in his first event of 2012, the Joburg Open and then sat out the weekend rounds last week in Abu Dhabi after scores of 78 and 72.

And a check of Lawrie’s putting stats reveals the former Spanish Open champion’s name does not appear at all among the leading 138 players.

“I’ve decided to go back to a standard length putter because I really just didn’t feel that comfortable with the belly putter,” added Lawrie.

“It was just hard to handle on fast greens so I’ll stick the belly putter in the garage with all my other puttersfor the time being.”

Lawrie is making his eighth appearance in Qatar since first contesting the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 2003.

His best result was ninth in 2010 when he produced two of only four sub-70 rounds in the 26 rounds on the Doha Golf club course.

Meantime –

Despite dropping two shots over his closing three holes Lawrie was pleased with a one under par 71 on  day one of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

A desert ‘Shamal’ whipped up dust and sand making it very uncomfortable for players, caddies and spectators.