Martin Kaymer endures a rocky ride in Qatar

MARTIN Kaymer, the world No 2, went from the sublime to the ridiculous on a day of strong winds in Doha, where Scotland's Stephen Gallacher maintained his promising start to the season to sit in the the top 10 after the first round of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

Two weeks after starting his season with an eight-shot victory in Abu Dhabi, Kaymer did not manage a single birdie in an opening 77. In gusts of over 30mph, the 26-year-old German was blown off course in his pursuit of Lee Westwood at the top of the rankings and finished the day eight strokes off the pace.

South African Retief Goosen, celebrating his 42nd birthday, was the only player to break 70, although just before play was called off because of darkness Swede Niclas Fasth joined him on three under par with two holes still to go this morning.

Westwood, who could lose the No 1 spot if Kaymer finishes in the top two on Sunday, managed only a 73 but that was good enough for the top 20.

Kaymer is in danger of his first missed cut since the Scottish Open last July. He has had four wins, including his first major, since then. Goosen, in contrast, has not tasted victory for nearly two years and his last European Tour success was this event in 2007. He said: "I drove it nicely, but it was tough to get the ball close to the flags and, when you were putting, you were getting blown all over the place."

Fourth in Bahrain last week, Gallacher was two over after six hole but recovered well to sign for a level-par 72. "It was very windy but I controlled the ball well," said the Scot.

David Drysdale is also level-par but has two holes of his opening round to finish this morning.

Steven O'Hara and Gary Orr both had 73s, one less than former Qatar winners Andrew Coltart and Paul Lawrie, with Richie Ramsay alongside Peter Whiteford on 75.