Wu and Lombard make early running in Qatar

SOUTH Africa’s Zander Lombard and China’s Ashun Wu claimed a share of the lead after the opening round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Wu took advantage of the calmer conditions for the early starters to post the clubhouse target with a flawless five-under-par 67, which was matched later in the day by the in-form Lombard.

Lombard was runner-up to compatriot Dylan Frittelli in last week’s Bahrain Championship and has finished no worse than 25th in his last eight events.

“I drove it nicely and hit a lot of greens which makes it pretty easy in this breeze, I didn’t have to get up and down much,” the world number 100 said.

“I think I only missed two greens where I had to chip and the other one was just off and I putted it, so it was stress-free and a lot of lagged putts and the greens are beautiful, so slick and fast so everything looks like it’s rolling in at the moment.

“I’ve got no weakness in the bag at the moment. Everything is really good and nothing that is really great so I put it down to real consistency over the last six months, so hopefully keep doing what I’m doing.”

Wu was in the second group out at 6.25am following a 4am alarm and was delighted not to drop a single shot on the testing 7,532-yard layout at Doha Golf Club.

“It was a great day today,” Wu said. “I hit a lot of greens, a lot of quality shots on the tees and fairways. Also made a lot of putts so to make five birdies, bogey-free, it’s a very good start”

Niklas Norgaard, Jaco Prinsloo, Haydn Barron and Clement Sordet share third place on four under par, with England’s Paul Waring and Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin part of a seven-strong group on three under.