'My game is on its way. Now I have to string four rounds together'
Sweden's Pierre Fulke produced some of his best golf for a long time to lead the first-round of the Qatar Masters as world number three Ernie Els of South Africa was put in the shade yesterday.
Fulke, who is putting all his effort into playing golf courses rather than designing them, carded a six-under-par 66 at the Doha Golf Club for a one-stroke advantage over Richard Green of Australia, Welshman Garry Houston and Henrik Stenson of Sweden. Els, winner of the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, had a birdie drought in the desert, picking up only one stroke at the last to salvage a 73.
Korean American Anthony Kang emerged as the best-placed Asian Tour player with a 68 in the US$1.5 million event.
Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee, playing alongside Els, outscored his more illustrious partner with a 71, recovering from an outward 39 with four birdies coming home. Compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant was the best-placed Thai with a 69.
Since featuring in the 2002 Ryder Cup, Fulke's career has been on the slide, finishing 88th on the European Tour money rankings in 2003 and 134th last season. He admitted that a passion for course designing had affected his game.