Two of Europe’s leading golfers were involved in a ‘lively’ discussion with a European Tour referee after a decision was made to halt play on day two of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Strong winds forced the Tour’s Andy McFee to call players from the windswept Doha Golf Club course at 9.13am local time.
However World No. 3 Lee Westwood and defending Qatar champion, Thomas Bjorn were then observed arguing with McFee play should have been allowed to continue.
Thomas Bjorn and Lee Westwood (back to camera) in discussion after Chief Referee, Andy McFee (right) called a halt to play on day two of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The three spent close to 10 minutes at the back of the Doha practice range in discussion, and in earshot of a handful of spectators, before Westwood and Bjorn headed to the privacy of the Player’s Lounge.
Westwood had played just six holes of his second round but had dropped a shot to fall to one over par while Bjorn, who had shot an opening round 79 had birdied his second hole and was back to six over par also after six holes.
Bjorn was approached for a comment but would only say: “Go and ask McFee about what’s going on.”
The Dane was critical of a decision to call players from the course given there was not the sand in the air from the day before.
However while Westwood and Bjorn were in discussion about the merits of competing, Welshman Bradley Dredge stated he agreed with play halting and in fact indicated they should have been called off earlier.
“I started my round from the 11th but by the time we got to the 16th tee it was really bad but it was just getting worst the more we got into the round,” said Dredge who had played 10 holes to remain at seven over.
“We were struggling on a few of the greens and I was even chasing my ball as it blew off the green at the first.
“I was trying to get a marker down behind my ball but it just kept rolling.”
Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey was in the first group out from the first hole and he had also played 10 holes when play was halted.
“It was only about the 40 minutes before they called a halt that the course became unplayable,” said Hoey.
“It was just very difficult out there and with the golf balls starting to move a lot on the greens.
“So it was the right decision and I think that will be it for the day.”
When play was halted overnight leader Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano had dropped two strokes be now sharing the lead on four under par with Australia’s Jason Day and Korean K.J. Choi.
American John Daly, who was due to tee off in the afternoon half of the draw, was now the clubhouse leader on five under par.
UPDATE
Tournament Director, David Probyn indicated at 1.45pm local time an abandonment to play during to the continuation of the strong winds and as a result the $US 2.5m will be reduced to 54 holes.
Strong winds continued to buffet the course and also play havoc with corporate structures.
All 66 players in the morning half of the draw had teed off with the first groups out having completed 10 holes while those out last had played three holes.
Best round of the morning was that of Ireland’s Damien McGrane who had picked up five birdies in his nine holes, including birding three in a row from his sixth.
It put McGrane back to one over par for the event.
