Players unhappy at revised cut figure

European tour players reacted with fury today after a decision that put no fewer than 35 of them out of the Qatar Masters in Doha.

With a massive 89 players reaching halfway on the three over par mark of 147 it was announced that, instead of the leading 70 and ties on three over par surviving the cut, only the top 54 on one over or better would go through.

Among those affected was Ian Woosnam, third in Dubai last week, former winners Tony Johnstone and Rolf Muntz and Volvo PGA champion Anders Hansen.

The action was deemed necessary by acting tournament director David Williams to keep the £936,000 event - delayed by a sandstorm on Thursday - as a 72-hole affair rather than make it only three rounds.

But the anger was that, while tour regulations state it can happen any week, they expected to be alerted to the possibility as the field completed the second round.

So while South African James Kingston reached the end of the day on nine under par and two ahead of England's David Howell with 32 holes to play tomorrow, his sights on the £156,054 first prize, the "gang of 35" packed their bags.

Those on two over par will each be paid £2,501 for their week's work and those on three over £1,420.

Muntz said: "It's an absolute disgrace. I don't think we mind it happening as long as we know while we are playing that it could happen. It's all about communication.

"You can sense the frustration of players over this. It just takes the oomph out of our work. You're not the only one in control of your finances - other people are as well.

"I know there are sponsors to think of and other considerations, but I think the main responsibility should be to the players.

"It's just a pity - look at the faces, look at the atmosphere here."

He was speaking outside the tournament office as third round tee-off times were handed out - without the 35 names on it.

Australian Jarrod Moseley, who like Muntz had finished on three over, stated: "It's disgraceful. Just tell us there is a possibility.

"The guys who were on two over playing the last (a par five) could have played the hole differently if they knew they might need to get to one over to make it through.

"Put the notice on the scorecard. It's just basic thinking."

Simon Wakefield, a 28-year-old from Newcastle-under-Lyme in his first full season on the circuit, said: "It just defeats the purpose of playing. It's absolutely scandalous - they're messing with our livelihood.

"If I get to the end of the year and I'm £1,000 short of keeping my card I'm not going to be happy. I stood on the last three over and thought I had only to make a par.

"There's no point competing in the tournament if they are going to do this."

However, former tour player Williams said in defence of the decision: "It's the only way to get the 72 holes in. With rounds taking five and a half hours we simply could not have done it with 89 players.

"We always have the option to cut to 50 in extenuating circumstances and this is one of those cases because of the long delay we had on Thursday.

"I know it's horrible for the guys and nobody feels more sorry for them than I do - I've been there. There's no question about that and I know they're angry.

"But 89 players is probably the biggest Ôcut' in history and I've done what had to be done to keep it a 72-hole event."

Kingston took the lead with a superb second round 67 and had time only to par the first four holes of his third round before play was called off.

Howell, three behind at halfway, had cut the gap with a birdie at the long first and was second on his own a stroke in front of Bridgewater's David Dixon, leading amateur in the Open two years ago, Australian Peter Fowler and South African Darren Fichardt, who had holed-in-one at the 224-yard third in his second round.

Pre-tournament favourite Padraig Harrington is down in 43rd place on two over, but Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley is still in the hunt at five under.

Phillip Price, the other member of last September's team taking part, is level par.

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