The Qatar Masters has been reduced to a 54-hole event after play was called off on the second day because of strong winds.
Officials suspended play 9:13 am local time after the winds gusting upwards of 40 kilometres per hour became a safety issue. They hoped play would be able to resume around lunch time, but as the day wore on, it became obvious that no more play would be possible.
About 66 golfers had started the second round in Doha before the suspension, overnight leader Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano dropped two shots before play was called off handing the lead to American John Daly on 5-under.
Daly (67) was followed by Castano, K.J. Choi (68) and Jason Day (68). Six players, including 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie and Nicolas Colsaerts, were two shots off the pace.
Martin Kaymer (71) and Sergio Garcia (72) were in contention, but about two-thirds of the field shot over par, including defending champion Thomas Bjorn (79).
Meanwhile, Jose Manuel Lara of Spain, who shot 9-over 81 in the first round, withdrew with a bad back.
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| John Daly | -5 |
| Gonzalo Fdez-Castano | -4 |
| Jason Day | -4 |
| KJ Choi | -4 |
| David Lynn | -3 |
| Nicolas Colsaerts | -3 |
| Paul Lawrie | -3 |
| Peter Hanson | -3 |
| Richard Finch | -3 |
| Pablo Larrazabal | -2 |
