Westwood shares early Qatar lead

Lee Westwood is determined to land his 19th European Tour title after a flawless five-under-par 67 in the first round of the Qatar Masters left him in a share of the  lead alongside South Africa's Anton Haig.

The current Order of Merit leader admitted he needed to get out of the blocks quicker after failing to chase down wire-to-wire winner Martin Kaymer in Abu Dhabi last week.

Westwood was faced with the same situation at November's HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, where he overturned a 12-shot deficit in the final round before losing out to world number two Phil Mickelson in a play-off.

But after finishing inside the top 10 in eight of his last nine events, a leaner and fitter Westwood is determined to claim the winner's cheque after making one of his best starts to a year.

"I'm definitely a slow starter," he said. "It's all to do with my fitness.  I usually come out a bit lethargic and the muscles are not really working, but I do a lot of gym work with the muscles on the golf swing and feel strong and everything feels right.

"I played very well again. I started off a bit iffy and missed a few greens at the start but I got it together. All in all, a pretty solid day's work and I was quite pleased. Confidence is very high at the moment. You can't help be confident.

"You are always mindful after a long break, but in the middle of that I finished fourth at Tiger Woods' event and last week I came out and started slowly after feeling a bit rusty but I got it going and got into the tournament and had a chance on Sunday."

Westwood, who started on the back nine, had plenty of chances to lead outright after missing a birdie putt from inside three feet at the 16th. He got up and down for birdie on the 18th and quickly moved to three under with a birdie at the first before missing four good chances over the next fives holes.

Westwood was finally rewarded with further birdies at the seventh and ninth, where he got up and down from a greenside bunker. The Ryder Cup star played alongside Kaymer, who claimed his maiden victory in Abu Dhabi, but struggled to an opening 75.

Former champion Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia were among a seven-strong group two shots off the lead on three under par after battling testing afternoon conditions. Both had chances at the last but missed makeable birdie putts within eight feet, a fact not lost on world number 12 Garcia.

Graeme McDowell leads the Irish challenge on two under par and is being closely tracked by his Northern Irish compatriot Rory McIlroy who is a shot further back.

Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie finished their opening rounds at level par and one over respectively but both Paul McGinley and Gary Murphy are struggling at five over apiece.