Retief Goosen holds a one-shot lead going into the second round of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters but Darren Clarke's individual return to competitive golf didn't go the way he would have hoped.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez had set the pace during the early part of the day in Doha by carding a six-under-par 66 but Goosen, who teed off in the late morning, carded eight birdies and just one bogey for a seven under 65.

"It is always great getting off to a good start," said Goosen. "Last week (in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship) I did too and then didn't really do much after that, so hopefully this week I can keep going."

Jimenez, who was runner-up Abu Dhabi last week, is joined in second by Australian left hander Nick O'Hern, who shot up the leaderboard with a birdie at 16 plus a closing eagle on the final hole.

As for Clarke it was a disappointing start to the tournament, just as it was for American Ryder Cup player Chris DiMarco.

Clarke was looking to make good progress in his first European Tour event of the year but it failed to materialise as he was unable to make a single birdie, instead carding bogeys on the eighth, 15th and 18th to finish three with a over par 75.

DiMarco did slightly better as three birdies on the fifth, 10 and 18th were undone by four bogeys.

Paul McGinley is best of the Irish on one under while Graeme McDowell is tied with DiMarco on one over. Resident Irish professional at the Doha resort, Graham Spring, carded a four over 76 to be well down the field.

Defending champion Henrik Stenson finds himself  three shots off Goosen's lead on four under after recovering from two opening bogeys. He is joined by American Edward Michaels, England's Nick Dougherty and Australian Richard Green.

South Africa's Ernie Els is well-placed after his three-under 69 leaves him inside the top 10.

additional reporting PA