Forsyth blots his copybook in Doha

Jan 29 2010 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

A DOUBLE bogey by Alastair Forsyth left him on two-over-par after the first round of the Qatar Masters in Doha.

The 33-year-old Paisley golfer made an encouraging start to his title bid as he completed the first nine holes in 36 strokes.

On the 10th hole, Forsyth posted his first birdie of the day to put him on one-under but, when he moved on to the par-four 11th, he hit a bogey to return to level par.

Forsyth managed pars on holes 12, 13, 14 and 15 with relative ease, but a double bogey on the 16th proved costly as he finished with a round of 74.

That placed him well down the leaderboard and seven shots adrift of overnight pacesetters Bradley Dredge, of Wales, and Oliver Wilson, from England, who both coped well with the windy conditions.

Forsyth will tee off for his second round today at 11am local time, when he will be joined by playing partners Pablo Larrazábal, of Spain, and Chris Wood, of England.