Qatar event faces mass exodus in safety scare

Ernie Els is not used to being upstaged, but that was the case in the Dubai Desert Classic after its first round at the Emirates golf club yesterday.

He is, however, a large, lurking, looming figure in the rear-view mirror of Alastair Forsyth, who with a seven- under-par 65 is one ahead of the South African. Els has, of course, won six of his past eight tournaments and given that he is the defending champion here, is handily placed.

Els also won in 1994, when he opened with a 61, and for his five visits to this part of the Gulf region is 72 under par. "I feel comfortable in Dubai," he said yesterday, and it is not hard to see why.

He did not think, though, that he would feel comfortable in Qatar, where next week's tournament is due to be played. The country, which is currently hosting large numbers of American soldiers, is only an hour's flight from Dubai but has been the subject of a Foreign Office advisory saying one should go only "on essential business".

"You know," said Els with considerable understatement, "if you went and something happened, you would probably want to get out."

But for a professional golfer a tournament with prize money of over £1m and played on a good golf course certainly comes into the category of essential business, and there are some aggrieved golfers here this week who feel that somebody should be giving them guidance.

What little there has been came in a statement by Ken Schofield, executive director of the European Tour who, from Qatar, said: "All preparations, including golf course, accommodation and transportation are complete and secure. Additional contingencies are in place should eventualities require." As statements go, that is masterly obfuscation.

Greg Owen, who three-putted his last hole to fall back to five under, spoke for many when he said: "I'd rather see the European Tour cancel it, personally, but if they can guarantee that we are going to get safely from the golf course to the hotel, then fair enough."

But in the next sentence doubts surfaced. "It's risking a lot. I've got an eight-month old baby girl and I want to see her grow up. I'll probably pull out on Saturday morning."

That is the last time with drawing can be done without a £250 fine and so far 27 players who had entered have now decided against it. Many more may be thinking the same way as Forsyth, who said yesterday: "I've pretty much decided I'm not going; I just haven't pulled out yet."

Nick Dougherty, like Owen on five under, is going: "I honestly believe that the Tour wouldn't endanger its players. Anyway, if we cancel the tournament that'd be Saddam's goal."