Lawrie leads in Doha

Scotland's Paul Lawrie leads the Qatar Masters by one shot after the second round in Doha on Thursday.
The 47-year-old fired a six-under 66 to lead at 11-under par after a first round 67 on Wednesday.
Lawrie clearly likes the course setup having won in Qatar twice before in 1999 and 2012.
The Scot birdied the fourth, seventh; ninth, 10th, 12th, 16th and 18th holes while dropping a shot on the 15th par four.
After his round, Lawrie said that he was satisfied with the way he had played over the first two rounds.
"There's a long way to go," Lawrie said. "A lot of golf to be played and a lot of top players still up there, but so far, so good.
"It was pretty much the same as yesterday to be honest. I played nicely tee to green, hit a lot of good shots and only made one mistake, three-putting from 20 feet on the 15th.
"When you play as nicely as that and control the flight of the ball like I did yesterday, you know if you hole a few putts you are going to shoot low, so it was a good day.
"I got a little frustrated after 15 because I thought 'you are not taking advantage of the conditions', but then I played some nice golf and made a few birdies."
A shot back is Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts who fired a 68 with an eagle on the first hole plus three birdies; his only bogey of the round was on the par four 14th hole.
Three players are tied for third place on nine under, namely – Frenchman Gregory Bourdy (68), Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello (68) and Andrew Johnson of England who shot a 69.
Leading Qatar Masters second round scores:
1. Paul Lawrie -11 (67, 66) 133
2. Nicolas Colsaerts -10 (66, 68) 134
3. Rafa Cabrera-bello -9 (67, 68) – 135
Grégory Bourdy -9 (67, 68)
Andrew Johnston -9 (66, 69)
6. Sergio Garcia -8 (70, 66) – 136
Pelle Edberg -8 (70, 66)
Johan Carlsson -8 (69, 67)
Tommy Fleetwood -8 (67, 69)
Thorbjørn Olesen -8 (67, 69)
11. Brett Rumford -7 (68, 69) – 137
Pablo Larrazábal -7 (65, 72)
Joost Luiten -7 (70, 67)
George Coetzee -7 (67, 70)
Branden Grace -7 (70, 67)
Maximilian Kieffer -7 (69, 68)
Jens Fahrbring -7 (69, 68)
Jorge Campillo -7 (69, 68)
Kristoffer Broberg -7 (67, 70)
Latest
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.
-
News
Tiger Woods focusing on return to PGA Tour after undergoing fifth back operation
The 45-year-old will miss the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational.