Three-way tie at the top in Doha

Branden Grace shone late in the day to join George Coetzee and Bernd Wiesberger at the top of the Qatar Masters leaderboard.
The South African, who won the Alfred Dunhill Championship on home soil in December, added a second-round 68 to an opening 67 to sit on nine under par.
Grace made the most of the calm afternoon conditions at Doha Golf Club, making four birdies and a bogey, to share the lead with countryman Coetzee (67) and Austrian Wiesberger (66).
“I really thought somebody was going to push (ten under),” Grace told the European Tour.
“You saw the guys from this morning, they were six unders and five unders and seven unders, and nobody really pushed towards the end of the day.
“You still have to make it. I think the greens, it wasn’t really as quick as I thought they were going to be. They are still very good. They didn’t spike up at all, so it’s a big surprise nobody really pushed on.”
The morning belonged to Wiesberger and Coetzee, who traded blows throughout their rounds before ending in a tie for the clubhouse lead.
Wiesberger birdied five of his first seven holes, while Coetzee also made four gains on the outward nine.
Both also only had one blemish on their cards.
“I’m playing well. My swing is coming along slightly and I’m putting pretty nicely. I’ve just got to wait for my birdies and not force it and kind of play the golf course like I know it,” said Coetzee.
Wiesberger, fresh off a sixth place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last week, said: “I feel comfortable. I haven’t really expected it going into those two weeks, especially because I played quite poorly last year.
“It gives me great confidence; if I keep on doing what I’m doing, I think I’ve worked on the right things the last couple of weeks and it shows.”
Korea’s Byeong-hun An, Scotland’s Marc Warren and Emiliano Grillo of Argentina all lie just one shot off the pace, while Spaniard Alejandro Canizares is among those two shots adrift.
Defending champion Sergio Garcia is just three shots back after a second successive 69.
Last week’s winner in Abu Dhabi, Gary Stal, was among those who missed the cut.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
News
We’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.
-
Ryder Cup
Thomas Bjorn named as Henrik Stenson’s first vice-captain for 2023 Ryder Cup
Stenson was one of Bjorn’s 12 players when he led Europe to 2018 glory in Paris.
-
PGA Tour
Greg Norman criticises PGA Tour after LIV Golf Invitational Series block
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the players known to have asked for the required release.
-
News
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson confirmed for US PGA Championship
Woods last appeared at the Masters while Mickelson has not played since February.
-
European Tour
Thorbjorn Olesen savours ‘special’ British Masters win after ‘some tough years’
The Dane was at a loss for words after securing his first win since 2018.
-
European Tour
Thorbjorn Olesen in command at British Masters but braced for final-day nerves
The Dane holds a three-shot lead on 11 under par.
-
European Tour
Danny Willett likes idea of presenting British Masters trophy to himself
The tournament host is three shots off the lead at the halfway stage.
-
News
Justin Rose drives to make golf accessible to all
The Olympic gold medallist is dreaming of getting the sport on the national curriculum.