WESTWOOD GETS A FLYER TO

SHARE LEAD ON 67 WITH HAIG

AT QATAR MASTERS

In greyhound racing terms, Lee Westwood got an uncharacteristic flyer out of the traps to share the lead on five-under-par 67 with South Africa's Anton Haig in the first round of the Qatar Masters today.

The Englishman, pictured right, is chasing his 19th European Tour title and he admitted last week when he failed to peg back all-the-way winner Martin Kaymer in Abu Dhabi that he needed to get "out of the blocks a lot quicker."

"I'm definitely a slow starter," said Westwood. "It's all to do with my fitness. I usually come out a bit lethargic and the muscles are not really working, but, having said that, I do a lot of gym work with the muscles on the golf swing and feel strong and everything feels right."
He added: "I played very well again. I started off a bit iffy and missed a few greens at the start but I got it together.
"All in all, a pretty solid day's work and I was quite pleased. My confidence is very high at the moment. You can't help be confident.
"You are always mindful after a long break, but in the middle of that I finished fourth at Tiger Woods' event and last week I came out and started slowly after feeling a bit rusty but I got it going and got into the tournament and had a chance on Sunday."
Former tournament champion Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia were among a seven-strong group two shots off the lead on three under par after battling testing afternoon conditions.
Both had chances at the last but missed makeable birdie putts within eight feet, a fact not lost on world No 12 Garcia.
"I played the last 10 holes pretty well, unfortunately I missed a few birdie chances coming in," said the Spaniard.
"I got around nicely at the beginning and holed a few nice par putts then unfortunately missed a few short ones coming in, but it was good overall as it's my first competitive round of the year."