England’s Steve Webster was soaring high when he commenced his Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in brilliant manner holing a 254-yard second shot for an ‘albatross’ two.

It put the Englishman at three-under par after just one hole.

As well, it is the second albatross in three events in 2014 after Dutchman Joost Luiten holed out for a ‘two’ during the second round of the Volvo Champions event in Durban.

Strangely, in the whole of 2013 there was just one albatross and that was Scotland’s Chris Doak at the Maderia Islands Open.

South African Dawie Van Der Walt and Spaniard Nacho Elvira shared the early clubhouse lead with seven under par 65s and on a day when play was delayed by some 30 minutes due to fog.

Van Der Walt had just 26 putts in his round that included an eagle and five birdies while Elvira had 27 putts.

At day’s end it was Pretoria-born George Coetzee leading the $2.5m event on eight under par with Van Der Walt and Webster tied in second place.

Webster was naturally first asked about his albatross and commenting there was just two spectators around the green and with one jumping up and down and also pointing in a downward motion.

“I didn’t know whether he was inferring it had gone over the back of the green and onto rocks, but then when I got up there he starts clapping,” said Webster.

“I’ve never been three-under after one hole before, so it was all a bit strange after that.  You start thinking is this my day, or have I had all my luck on the first.”

It is the second albatross in three events this year whereas there was just on the European Tour in the whole of 2013.

Webster, who celebrated his 39th birthday last Friday, then picked up five birdies over his next 12 holes to move to be leading on eight under par before dropping a shot at his 15th.