Qatar Masters - Day one digest

Pádraig Harrington reached 500 DP World Tour events, David Micheluzzi produced a magic number and the form book held up in the first round of the 2026 Qatar Masters.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday's play at Doha Golf Club.

Reed and Hillier keep up strong starts

In-form pair Patrick Reed and Daniel Hillier shared the first-round lead on seven under par after rounds of 65. Reed, coming off a win and a play-off defeat in his last two events, carded nine birdies and two bogeys while Hillier, who has four top-six finishes in five events this season, managed six birdies and an eagle to set against a single dropped shot. The New Zealander put his strong start to the season down to “just giving myself a good bit of time off over the break” and added: “I think when my head’s in a good spot, that’s when I play my best golf and I’ve learnt that sometimes less is more. I’ve just been enjoying the summer break back home and came out refreshed and ready to go, and excited to compete again.”

500 up for Harrington

Pádraig Harrington brought up a momentous landmark with his 500th DP World Tour appearance, marking the occasion with two birdies in a one-under-par 71. During his post-round interview he was shown a clip of his first appearance, at the 1995 European Open. "Oh my God," he said, watching the shot. "Oh, it was a layup, thankfully! God, that was an aggressive layup, wasn't it?"

The popular Irishman - who has won 15 times on Tour including three Major Championships in 2007 and 2008 - received a fond tribute from compatriot Shane Lowry early in his round.

Aces high

David Micheluzzi made a hole-in-one at the par-three third, the fifth on the DP World Tour this season - congratulations David!

Mikael Lindberg had the commentators excited at the eighth, thinking they had witnessed another ace - it took a replay to clear up the confusion...

'Absolutely astonishing'

Matt Wallace put himself firmly in contention with a three-under-par 69. He made only a par at the long ninth but this ridiculous approach from the waste area may have been the highlight of his round.

Hidalgo holes a long one

The ever entertaining Angel Hidalgo holed a mighty 68-foot birdie putt to go two under par after only two holes of his tournament. Some start!

Fergie time

Ewen Ferguson is a genius in the sand, part 383...

Chips for everyone

Ferguson's was by no means the only chip-in of the day in Doha!