BIRTHDAY BOY GOOSEN LEADS IN QATAR MASTERS WIND

                                                                         FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

South African Retief Goosen celebrated his 42nd birthday with a pace-setting, three-under-par 69 in the windswept opening round of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy.

Without a European Tour victory since the same event four years ago - and without a title anywhere for nearly two years - the twice US Open Champion shone in conditions that caused real problems for many of the star names in the field.

As the round drew to a close in fading light Goosen, pictured today, held the clubhouse lead by one from defending champion Robert Karlsson, 2003 winner Darren Fichardt and England's Richard Finch.

Former Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth, in the last group of the day, just had time to birdie the driveable 16th and join Goosen out in front on three under before play for the day was called off because of darkness.

Goosen was the only player to break 70, although Swede Fasth has a chance to join him in the morning.
Lee Westwood, who could lose the World No 1 spot if Martin Kaymer finishes in the top two on Sunday, managed a 73 and that was good enough for a place inside the top 20.
After only one bogey all week a fortnight ago, Kaymer dropped shots at the sixth and 12th and then drove into rocks three holes later en route to a 77.

The US PGA Championship winner tried to play his way out of trouble, but knocked the ball only a few yards and then took a penalty drop en route to a double bogey 6. He did not pick up a single birdie.

Goosen was joint third in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago, albeit ten shots adrift of Kaymer, and continued that form in the far more difficult conditions.

"I drove it nicely, but it was tough to get the ball close to the flags and when you were putting you were getting blown all over the place," Goosen said.

"It wasn't easy. I putted well in these conditions, made a few good putts and par saves and that kept my score together."

Fasth's last win was also four years ago and it is now nine years since he helped Europe win The Ryder Cup at The Belfry.

He made a 15ft birdie putt on the seventh, his 16th, in the fast-fading light to put himself and Goosen one ahead.

Karlsson scrambled brilliantly at times and the former European No 1 was pleased to be in contention for a third title in the desert in 12 months after winning the season-ending Dubai World Championship in November.

"The one on six was a bit special," he said. "To keep the round going, it's easy to get into if you're holing out well.

"I've played well here a few times and the year before I won. I like this golf course, it's always in great condition."

FIRST-ROUND LEADERS
Par 72
69 Retief Goosen (S Africa) 35-34.

70 Darren Fichardt (S Africa) 35-35, Robert Karlsson (Sweden) 36-34, Richard Finch (England) 38-32.

Selected scores:

73 Lee Westwood (England) 36-37.

74 Paul Casey (England) 40-34.
76 Steve Stricker (US) 36-40.

77 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 37-40, John Daly (US) 43-35.

SCOTS' SCORES

72 Stephen Gallacher 35-37 (T10).

73 Steven O'Hara 35-38, Gary Orr 37-36 (T18).

74 Andrew Coltart 36-38, Paul Lawrie 36-38 (T34)

75 Richie Ramsay 36-39, Peter Whiteford 37-38 (T52).
To finish: David Drysdale - level par with two holes to play.