FROM LEFT: Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes players of Manchester United watching action of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club, yesterday. Rafael (right) is also seen.
Doha: Wayne Rooney, lead a group of Manchester United stars who headed to the first round of the $2.5m Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - European Tour event - which kicked off here yesterday
Joining Rooney at Doha Golf Club (DGC) were Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, all keen golfers, as the Manchester United stars watched some of the world’s top golfers.
They were also joined by Michael Carrick, Rafael and members of United’s backroom team.
All of them were taking a break from the warm-weather training camp in Qatar.
Player of the English football giants watched the likes of Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer, the former world No.1 at DGC.
The Manchester United footballers started and finished their afternoon in the Commercial Bank Hospitality Tent overlooking the 18th green, but also mingled with other spectators along the fairways as they followed a selection of groups during the afternoon.
Even Rose – a man used to playing in front of large, raucous crowds at the Ryder Cup – was taken aback when he saw the calibre of his gallery. “I saw the Man United guys were close to us on the par-three at hole 12, so I went up to them and I shook Rooney’s hand and Giggsy (Ryan Giggs) and the boys. Obviously they’re such legends. It’s hard not to be impressed by them,” said Rose, the top-ranked player in this week’s field and a European legend of his own at last September’s Ryder Cup.
“I’ve met a bunch of football star over the years like Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, all those sorts of guys. Jamie Redknapp’s become a friend of mine. They’re all mad-keen golfers, which is cool.”
Rose even responded to the pressure of seeing the football greats watching over him as he played the par-five 18th, recording a birdie to finish with a four-under-par 68.
“I had hold of my three-wood into 18 and I sort of looked up to the balcony and I saw all these guys, many wearing black, so I knew it was them, although Wayne was in a red shirt. That definitely added a bit of focus going into my last shot into 18 as I tried to impress the lads. It was a nice way to finish,” he added.
Sir Alex’s men flew first-team squad flew out after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur for the winter camp at Aspire Academy.
United are due to fly home today after spending four days at the state-of-the-art Aspire Academy.
The Peninsula
