Daly leads but wind rules European event

DOHA, Qatar, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Strong winds forced cancellation of most of Friday's play at the European Tour's Qatar Masters.

Few players got in even half of their second round and most of the field had yet to begin Friday when officials stopped play. Winds gusting to 35 mph were causing balls to move on the greens and wind-blown sand was an issue for visibility.

Tournament organizers decided to cut the event to 54 holes.

Among those who didn't tee off Friday was tournament leader John Daly. He was in second after a 5-under-par 67 Thursday but first-round leader Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano had two bogeys in the seven holes he played Friday and slipped into a tie for second at 4-under.

Jason Day, even through six second-round holes, and K.J. Choi, who hasn't started his second round, are also 4-under.