After just three-and-a-half hours of play yesterday due to continued sandstorms in Doha, the first round of the Qatar Masters neared completion with Ireland's Paul McGinley threatening to whip up a storm of his own.
When the Ryder Cup hero got his opportunity to take to the course he opened with a birdie and picked up three more shots to get within two of early lead held by England's David Howell (66) on six-under.
McGinley (68) pencilled in a trio of birdies from the 10th, added another with a two at the 17th, but a bogey on the final hole - after three-putting - denied the Dubliner outright second on his own.
Instead he joins a chasing pack which includes England's Philip Golding and South Africa's James Kingston on four-under.
Padraig Harrinton was next of the Irish contingent on two-under after he rectified a bogey at the opening hole to sign for a 70.
Challenge Tour graduates Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie both signed for one-over 73's.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell reached the turn in level par after starting at the 10th. However, the front nine was more punishing as last year's Scandinavian Masters winner stumbled home in three-over for a 75, the same as Kilkenny's Gary Murphy.
Lesser-known Graham Spring couldn't keep bogeys off the card as the Irishman struggled to an opening four-over 76 while former European Amateur Champion Stephen Browne was two shots worse on 78.
