Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen opened with a bogey but quickly recovered and produced seven birdies to close with a 6-under 66 and a share of the lead at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
“I’m extremely pleased, even after the bogey at the first. To bounce back like that was huge,” said the Dane. I felt really good into the greens today and was able to roll in some putts. It was a lovely day.
“I made a conscious effort this week to try and start fast. I told my caddie, Brian, going into this week that was the main goal, get off to a good start, be under par through six and take it from there.”
Neergaard-Petersen won three times on the HotelPlanner Tour in 2024 to qualify automatically to the DP World Tour.
England’s Brandon Robinson Thompson also made a single bogey, at the 15th, to take a share of the first-round lead for the second consecutive week following last week’s Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.
“Just a lot of good stuff out there today,” said Robinson Thompson. “Tricky conditions with the wind, but first and foremost the golf course is in unbelievable condition. The guys at Doha Golf Club have done such a good job. I just took advantage of opportunities that came my way.
“The first round is always important, it can get you in the tournament, you can relax and build on it. This is almost like a home game for me. I’ve been here so many times and I’m so comfortable here.
“I just love golf. Full stop. I love competing. I’m so happy to be out here on the DP World Tour. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and I’m living the dream.”
England’s Sam Bairstow signed for a bogey-free 67 for a share of third place at 5-under alongside Italy’s Andrea Pavan who made two bogeys and seven birdies.
Play was suspended overnight at 17:12 local time due to darkness and will resume at 07:00.
