DOHA, Qatar (AP) — John Daly birdied two of his last three holes to shoot a 5-under 67 Thursday and take the clubhouse lead at the Qatar Masters, one shot ahead of K.J. Choi.
The two-time major winner had five birdies in a bogey-free round despite wind gusts that reached about 22 mph and whipped up the desert sand that surrounds the course. Daly, who quit the Australian Open in November after hitting seven balls in the water, has not won in eight years.
Choi (68) also had a bogey-free round that included three birdies on his front nine. Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, Paul Lawrie of Scotland, Peter Hanson of Sweden and Richard Finch of England are another shot adrift. Fourth-ranked Martin Kaymer is four shots back.
