Garcia, Kaymer among Qatar leaders

Last updated: 24th January 2013

Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer were two of the names at the top of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters leaderboard on Friday.

The Ryder Cup duo were among four players - the others being overnight leader Ricard Santos and Australia's Marcus Fraser - to share the lead on nine under after the second round at Doha Golf Club.

Kaymer shot a more than tidy five-under-par 67, while Garcia went one better with a six-under 66. Fraser also shot a 67, while last year's European Tour Rookie of the Year Santos held on to a share of the lead with a two-under-par 70.

Garcia underwent laser eye surgery to correct astigmatism following Europe's Ryder Cup victory over the Americans in September, but finished 2012 with a round of 61 for a three shot win at the Johor Open in Malaysia.

This was the Spaniard's first appearance of the season.

"It was nice - I definitely felt I played a little bit better than yesterday," the 32-year-old said after his six birdies.

"Obviously I would have loved to hit a couple of shots better, but I gave myself a lot of chances and I can't be disappointed.

"The wind started picking up a bit and it made it tough enough to choose the right clubs.

"We tried to play smart and managed to do that fairly nicely."

Santos may not have been able to maintain the sole lead, but the Madeira Islands Open winner was still pleased with his efforts.

"I struck the ball very well today," he said. "I just missed a few shots but still happy with the round.

"This afternoon the wind is a little bit stronger than the morning, so I'm happy with two under. It's never easy, but I started really well - after four holes minus three - so I think, well, just keep playing like that.

"I just want to play my game the best I can, and then we'll see. I want to enjoy the weekend."

As many as five players follow just one shot behind the leaders in what is a tightly packed leaderboard - George Coetzee (67), Felipe Aguilar (67), Michael Campbell (68), Thorbjorn Olesen (68) and Gary Lockerbie (69).

Other notables still very much in contention include Branden Grace, who is on six under after a 68, tied with England's Paul Casey (68), among others.

Justin Rose is on five under, four shots back, after a slightly disappointing 71, while Louis Oosthuizen is on four under after a 69.

Paul Lawrie saw his defence of the title come to a premature end after a four-putt double bogey on the 15th hole. He missed the cut, which fell on one under par, by a single stroke.