Patrick Reed of the United States lines up a crucial putt on Day 1 of the 29th Qatar Masters yesterday.
DOHA: USA’s Patrick Reed and New Zealander Daniel Hillier shared the first-round lead at the 29th Qatar Masters after carding identical seven-under-par 65s on an eventful opening day at Doha Golf Club yesterday.
Irishman Padraig Harrington became the 50th player on the DP World Tour to make 500 appearances as the prestigious tournament teed off, while Australia’s David Micheluzzi fired a hole-in-one at the 204-yard par-three third hole.
However, Reed and Hillier grabbed the spotlight, maintaining their brilliant starts to the season in windy conditions.
Reed, who won the Dubai Desert Classic a fortnight ago and was beaten in a dramatic play-off at last weekend’s Bahrain Championship, began his round with three birdies.
The 2018 Masters champion mixed nine birdies with two bogeys to share the lead.
Daniel Hillier (left) of New Zealand with his caddy at Doha Golf Club.
“I hit the ball pretty well, especially early in the round. A lot of my birdies were just kind of kick-ins, which is always nice, not having to think too much around there,” said Reed.
“The golf course, especially when it’s windy like this, requires a lot of shot-making. You have to work the ball both ways, flight it down or take it up in the air. That’s the kind of golf I like,” added the American, who is second in the Race to Dubai Rankings.
Fifth in the Race to Dubai Rankings, Hillier has also been in impressive form, with four top-six finishes in his last five events.
The New Zealander’s round included six birdies and an eagle at the par-five ninth.
“Yeah, that was nice,” he said.
“I was a little frustrated with a soft bogey there on my 17th hole, but it was nice to get a couple back at the end.
“My game’s feeling really good, so I’m just trying to ride the wave, I guess,” Hillier added.
Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult, Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, Finland’s Oliver Lindell, Spain’s Angel Ayora and Italy’s Gregorio De Leo all finished one shot back at six under.
“It was a good day. I played pretty solid from the first hole. I couldn’t make any putts on the front nine, then got it going around the turn, which was nice,” said Kinhult.
Harrington marked his memorable day with a one-under-par 71, mixing birdies at the ninth and tenth with a bogey at the 15th. Micheluzzi was also one under par for his round, which included a hole-in-one.
Meanwhile, Qatari pair Daniil Sokolov and Saleh Al Kaabi finished on two-over-par 74.
With four groups unable to complete their rounds, play was suspended for the evening. Adri Arnaus and Francesco Laporta were the standout performers among the 12 players still in action, both sitting at two under.
