A wild sandstorm blew via Doha, Qatar, early Thursday, forcing a suspension of the primary spherical of play on the Industrial Financial institution Qatar Masters.

The winds picked up, shortly blinding the gamers on the course.

“It simply whipped up, the wind,” mentioned Scotsman Stephen Gallacher, who performed for the European Ryder Cup staff in 2014. “When [the wind] will get up right here, it may be difficult as a result of it [blows] proper throughout the entire golf course… It’s at all times a tricky monitor, a tricky stroll via the sand as nicely.”

The scene was reminiscent to followers of the movie Mission Unattainable: Ghost Protocol. Golfers had a troublesome seeing what was in entrance of them at occasions.

The DP World Tour suspended mess around 12:30 p.m. native time. The primary spherical resumed at 1:45 p.m. when the winds subsided.

Half of the sphere have been then capable of end their rounds, together with 2023 Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre, who carded a bogey-free 6-under 66.

“It’s nearly giving your self probabilities and attempting to gap the putts,” MacIntyre mentioned after the spherical. “It’s the very best I’ve seen this place, and I’ve been enjoying nicely.”

MacIntyre most lately completed in a tie for twenty sixth on the Andalucia Masters. His finest end this season got here on the Genesis Scottish Open, the place Rory McIlroy bested him by one, due to McIlroy’s heroics on the 72nd gap.

However the happy-going Scotsman determined to make some adjustments this fall, together with swapping caddies and enjoying a special ball.

Nonetheless, he’s in competition once more at a course that fits his eye.

“The course is in immaculate situation,” MacIntyre mentioned.

Photograph by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Photos

Many different gamers raved about Doha Golf Membership, the host of the Qatar Masters.

“I like this golf course and, when it bought fairly windy in the direction of the tip, I loved that, and it was good enjoyable,” mentioned Ewen Ferguson of Scotland, who, like MacIntyre, shot 66 on Thursday.

“Not as completely different as I assumed. It’s in immaculate situation once more; it’s only a bit scorching.”

Certainly, temperatures in Qatar reached the excessive 80s on Thursday, and the climate is forecasted to hover within the low 90s all through the weekend.

That would result in extra sandstorms, ought to the wind choose up, nevertheless it may additionally result in ominous thunderstorms, which was the case Thursday night.

The primary spherical of play was suspended at 3:02 p.m. native time, roughly 75 minutes after play resumed after the sandstorm delay.

The climate actually created a whirlwind of a schedule on Thursday, as Scott Jamieson of Scotland and Daniel Hiller of New Zealand lead at 7-under after 18 holes.

“[The wind] makes an enormous distinction,” Hiller mentioned after his spherical.

“It makes it more durable to hit fairways, and for those who’re lacking fairways, it’s actually laborious to regulate the ball. The greens are agency, so it’s actually laborious to cease it. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see the way it goes this afternoon, however I’ll be on the lodge kicking up my toes, so completely happy days.”

Hiller needs to be feeling completely happy after his spherical, however with the primary spherical suspended, the complete 132-person discipline on the Qatar Masters is kicking up their toes this afternoon.

Half the sphere can have an early begin forward of them on Friday, as play resumes at 6:30 a.m. native time.

They are going to doubtless must cope with the early morning humidity, which Jamieson and everybody else within the morning wave handled on Thursday.

“The one drawback about being out first is it’s so humid, however you clearly get much less wind,” Jamieson mentioned.

Golf Channel will air reside protection of the Qatar Masters starting at 4 a.m. ET Friday.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Be sure you try @_PlayingThrough too.