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Santos takes 1-shot lead at Qatar Masters, ahead of Wall, Whiteford

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Ricardo Santos of Portugal during the first round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at The Doha Golf Club in Qatar, Wednesday, Jan. 23 2013. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal) (The Associated Press)

Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa plays his second shot on the 1 hole during the first round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters held at Doha Golf Club in Qatar ,Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal) (The Associated Press)

Ricardo Santos of Portugal had five birdies on his back nine to finish with a 7-under 65 Wednesday in the opening round of the Qatar Masters, taking a one shot lead over Anthony Wall and Peter Whiteford.

Santos finished with eight birdies to go with a lone bogey on his second hole. Coming off a fourth-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday, the 30-year-old golfer from Portugal is looking for his second win on the European Tour.

Wall of England shot a bogey-free round that included four birdies on the front nine and a final birdie on the par-5, 18th. Whiteford, of Scotland, collected six birdies in a bogey-free round.

Several Manchester United players were in the gallery. The team is training in Qatar.