Ewen Ferguson holes putts totalling 173 feet in strong Qatar start

Ewen Ferguson holed putts totalling a staggering 173 feet as the Scot maintained his recent promising form in the opening round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

On the event’s return to Doha Golf Club, where Andrew Coltart won the inaugural staging before Paul Lawrie landed a double success, Ferguson opened with a five-under-par 67.

That left the 25-year-old sitting in a share of sixth spot, three shots behind leader Pablo Larrazabal as the Spaniard showed the sort of form that landed him a sixth DP World Tour win recently.

Out in one of the first groups of the day in a two-ball with Frenchman Robin Roussel, Ferguson holed a 20-footer for an opening birdie before then rolling in efforts from 57 feet and 53 feet respectively for birdies at the third and sixth.

“I read them nicely, tried to get the pace right and, if they go in, it’s a little bonus,” said the former British and Scottish Boys’ champion, who signed for seven birdies in total.

“It just so happened that a couple of them went in today, which always feels nice, and hopefully I can keep it up for the next few days.”

Calum Hill marked his return from a four-month injury lay-off with a two-under 70, which was matched later in the day by Craig Howie.

“It was alright,” said Hill, last year’s Cazoo Classic winner, of his eagerly-awaited comeback as he recovered from an insect bite. “Just a shame that I managed to wedge it into the water at the last, but the rest was alright.

“My good shots are good, but it’s the average ones that are still rusty. Even when I was over the ball and trying to focus, the mind was wandering a little bit instead of going through your mental routine. But, all in all, not too bad. I can still play (laughing).”

Howie carded four birdies