Despite a bogey on the 16th on Thursday, former champion Darren Fichardt pieced together an otherwise bogey-free four-under-par 68 in the first round of the DP World Tour’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club.
The South African veteran won the 2003 version of the tournament, defeating compatriot James Kingston in a play-off. He clearly enjoys the place, and he showed his love with five birdies in the first 11 holes. That put him in a share of fifth, just two strokes off the lead at six-under-par.
There was a two-way share of the lead between Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark and Brandon Robinson Thompson of England, both of whom dropped just a single shot in their opening rounds. Andrea Pavan of Italy and Sam Baurstow of England shared fourth on five-under-par.
Two shots behind Fichardt, Casey Jarvis and Jayden Schaper were on three-under-par in a share of 12th place. Thomas Aiken was a further shot back on two under in a share of 30th on a crowded leaderboard.
George Coetzee opened with a level-par 72 and was in a share of 52nd, while Deon Germishuys was on one-over in a share of 73rd with Robin Williams, Jacques Kruyswijk, Ryan van Velzen and Wilco Nienaber. They all have work to do to make sure they play on the weekend.
Justin Harding was on three-over, Brandon Stone on four-over and Louis de Jager on six-over.
