Chinarat, Thongchai lurk in Qatar Masters

Qatar (Agencies, BangkokPost.com)

World number eight golfer Retief Goosen remained cool in the desert heat to stay top of the Qatar Masters' leaderboard at the end of his second round - but was joined by Australian Richard Green.

Thai Chinarat Phadungsil has fired two steady, under-par days of 69 on Thursday and 68, and lurks four shots back of the leaders.

Thongchai Jaidee, who had a so-so opening round of 71, fired back with a five-under 67 on Friday, putting him one shot behind his fellow Thai, and five off Goosen and Green's lead.

Prom Meesawat, in 21st place at three under par, and Chapchai Nirat, at two under, both have easily made the cut to play on the weekend.

Goosen looked on course to at least equal his first-round score of 65 after carding four birdies on his outward nine at the Doha Golf Club, but just one more birdie and a bogey coming home meant he shot a four-under-par 68. That left him 11 under going into the weekend.

Green, meanwhile, shot a superb 65 to put himself well in contention for only his second-ever European Tour win.

The 35-year-old did not drop a shot in his seven-birdie round to join Goosen at the top.

His compatriot Nick O'Hern carded five birdies on the back nine and looked set to join the duo but just one more birdie coming home, accompanied by two bogeys, meant he dropped to nine under and was in second place.

Paul Lawrie, a former winner of the Qatar Masters, put his experience to good use as he shot a four-under 68 to moe up to third at seven under.

Ernie Els endured a disappointing day and could only manage a one-under-par 71.

The South African hit a double bogey on the 12th and though he recovered to make five birdies after that, two bogeys on the seventh and ninth - his 16th and 18th - meant he finished on four under overall.

Thailand News : Breaking News
Bangkok Post
Friday January 26, 2007