Goosen wants to build on his fine start

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
(GB&I unless stated):
-7 R Goosen (SA)
-6 M A Jiminez (Arg), N O'Hern (Aus)
-5 S Kapur (Ind)
-4 E Michaels (US), R Green (Aus), N Dougherty, H Stenson (Swe)

Retief Goosen fired a seven-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Qatar Masters.

The South African carded eight birdies and one bogey to overtake Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and Australia's Nick O'Hern at the top of the leaderboard.

Fello South African Ernie Els shot a steady 69, Spain's Sergio Garcia a 70 and England's Lee Westwood a 71.

Darren Clarke, in his first strokeplay event for two months, failed to make a single birdie in his three-over 75.

Jimenez set the early pace by carding a six-under-par 66, but Goosen's almost flawless round later in the morning took him to seven-under 65.

The two-time US Open champion, 37, said: "It's always great getting off to a good start.

"Last week (in the Abu Dhabi Championship) I did too and then didn't really do much after that, so hopefully this week I can keep going."

O'Hern made a steady start before he carded three successive birdies from the seventh.

He then enjoyed a good run coming home, continuing his faultless round whilst adding another birdie and an eagle on the 18th.

India's Shiv Kapur is on five under after he too improved on an slow start to card five birdies coming home and complete an impressive round.

Defending champion Henrik Stenson is one shot behind after recovering from two bogeys on his first and second holes.

He is tied with American Edward Michaels , Nick Dougherty and Australian Richard Green.

South African Ernie Els, looking to and become the first player to win the tournament twice, carded a three-under-par 69.

Last week's Abu Dhabi winner Paul Casey made an indifferent start, carding a par 72, while Ireland's Paul McGinley finished at one under.