After the disappointment of missing the cut in his first event as a European Tour member in Abu Dhabi, Nathan Holman hit back immediately, taking top Australian honours at this week’s Qatar Masters.

The reigning Australian PGA champion was more consistent in all departments of his game shooting par or better all four days to finish 3-under-par and T35.

Despite a double bogey five at his 17th hole in the opening round, Holman maintained his composure to birdie the very next hole and sign for a 2-under 70.

He followed with rounds of 71-72-72 despite tournament statistics suggesting his driving and putting were less than his best.

Holman hit less than half his fairways and posted 30 putts or more all four days leaving plenty of room for improvement in coming weeks.

Holman was one of six Australians to tee up in Qatar, the tournament unusually starting Wednesday and finishing Saturday.

European Tour regulars Brett Rumford, Scott Hend, Wade Ormsby, Marcus Fraser and Andrew Dodt were all in the field though Hend and Ormsby both missed the cut.

Brett Rumford showed the best form of the Australians over the first two days carding 68-69 to be 7-under and within four of 36 hole leader Paul Lawrie.

However, difficult conditions in the third round got the better of the West Australian who carded two bogies and two double bogies in his first nine holes to tumble down the leader board.

A cold putter was the main culprit, Rumford finishing the round with 35 strokes, six worse than his next highest total for the week.

The disappointing score saw Rumford slide from just outside the top 10 to near the tail of the field, an even par final round adding up to a T48 finish.

Marcus Fraser also struggled in the third round with a 75 to go with rounds of 69-72 and 74 to be 2-over for the week and T59.

Andrew Dodt, the last of the Australians to make the cut, finished on the same total after a disappointing final round 76.