It was South Africa’s day in the opening round of the 2014 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.
The Rainbow Nation flag was flying high helped by George Coetzee who shot a 64 to lead the field at eight under par.
Dawie Van Der Walt shares second place on six under par while Ernie Els debuted his new clubs for a first time on the European Tour to be tied in eight place on five under par with fellow Springbok Thomas Aiken.
The 27-year old Pretoria-born Coetzee capped his round with a 10th hole eagle and birdied his closing three holes in a round that was just a shot more than his European Tour career best since shooting a 62 two years ago to set a new Old Course record at St. Andrews in Scotland.
George Coetzee (RSA) tees off the 1st tee during Wednesday’s Round 1 of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2014 held at Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar. (Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ie)
“I was quite lucky to get away with a few shots I hit today, but it was another good putting display to put a nice number,” he said.
“There’s a lot of luck involved in this game, especially the way I play, and I had 21 putts with a three-putt, so that goes to show.”
Dawie Van Der Walt and England’s Steve Webster share second place on seven under par and with Webster commencing his round in spectacular manner holing a 254-yard, 5-wood second shot for an ‘albatross’ at his opening hole, the 548-yard par five 10th.
However 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.
Four players are in fourth place on six under par while the former British Open winning trio of Els, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and American John Daly are among a group at five under par.
Els ended the first round in his 25th anniversary pro career season holing a 35-yard bunker shot on 18 for eagle.
“That was a dream finish and to see that ball drop for an eagle is always going to put a smile on your face,” said Els.
“I played quite nicely all day but didn’t quite get my share of putts, so that bunker shot at the last really made up for everything.”
The four-time Major winning Els is no stranger to playing well in Doha having captured the 2005 Qatar Masters and a week after sealing victory with a third success in the Dubai Desert Classic.
Lawrie highlighted his round with a 16th hole eagle and Daly who birdied his opening three holes and two of his closing three.
“I’ve started off this year putting really, really well and just made three bombs to start with today to go three under quick,” said Daly.
“But I just got into trouble a couple of times with the driver, so it was my putting that kept me in there today.”
European No. 1 and reigning FedEx Cup champion Henrik Stenson bounced back from missing the halfway cut last week in Abu Dhabi with a four under par 68.
And current PGA Champion, Jason Dufner, competing in Qatar for a second year running, was pleased with his score of 70.
A 30-minute delay due to fog at the start of the day meant three players were unable to complete their round due to darkness
