Qatar field blown off course as event reduced to 54 holes

American John Daly was among those who did not hit a shot, but the 45-year-old ranked 543rd in the world moved into the lead when Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano bogeyed two of his first five holes before the suspension came just before 9.15am.

Former Open champion Daly, chasing his first victory for eight years, goes into the weekend five under par, while Fernandez-Castano, who won the Singapore Open in November when that event was trimmed to three rounds because of thunderstorms, is a stroke behind along with Korean KJ Choi and Australian Jason Day.

Choi was another who did not have to play, while Day’s six opening pars means he has still to record a bogey in the tournament.

Lee Westwood’s day began well with a birdie on the 11th, but he double-bogeyed the next and when he ran up a five on the 410-yard 14th he was one over and only joint 48th along with Graeme McDowell, who had bogeyed the 11th and birdied the 14th.

Despite the conditions Ireland’s Damien McGrane went to the turn in a five-under 31, but he had started with a 78 and so was still only one over, while four birdies in six holes by South African Branden Grace, twice a winner already this season, lifted him into a tie for 15th on one under.

Officials were close to deciding on a 12.15pm restart, but then the gusts went up again and that was too much to keep balls still on the greens.

Tournament director David Probyn said sponsors and those holding television rights wanted to end the tournament tomorrow, so it was reduced rather than postponed. “There is no point in us putting the guys out on the questionable golf course for one or two hours because it is not going to change the situation in what we can achieve if we have to finish Sunday night,” Probyn said. “We have taken a decision to suspend play and come back tomorrow morning.”

Probyn said the winds hadn’t damaged infrastructure but had caused balls to move on several greens. He said the weather forecast was for conditions to improve today.

“We are really not expecting a problem. It will be maybe 20mph maximum tomorrow which should not be a problem for us,” Probyn said. “It has just been the gusts that have been over 35mph today that have prevented us from playing.”

About 66 golfers had started the second round in Doha before play was suspended, and most seemed relieved to leave the course.

Westwood, who missed the cut last year, had already shifted to cheering on the England cricket team against Pakistan in the Third Test in Dubai. “No play today!,” Westwood tweeted. “If I’m quick I might just get back to the hotel to see the end of England’s innings! It’s a good 15 mins back!”

The Phoenix Open has also had its weather problems, and Jason Dufner birdied two of his last five holes to join fellow American Ryan Palmer in a tie for the lead when the frost-delayed opening round was completed in Scottsdale, Arizona yesterday.

Dufner, who was beaten in a play-off by compatriot Mark Wilson for last year’s title, picked up shots at the 15th and 16th on the way to a seven-under-par 64 at TPC Scottsdale.

Palmer had held the outright lead overnight, ending his opening round shortly before play was suspended in fading light on Thursday after frost had delayed the tournament start by an hour.

Forty-two players had to complete the first round yesterday when play was again halted for an hour by lingering frost. By the time the round was over, Dufner and Palmer set the pace with fellow Americans Bo Van Pelt, Spencer Levin and world No 6 Webb Simpson a stroke back after opening with 65s.