Australian Brett Rumford opened up a one-shot lead at the halfway point of the $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, thanks to a second round 66 (-6).
The 32 year-old from Perth – the third windiest city in the world – took advantage of a lull in the blustery conditions that blighted day one to shoot the best round of day two and move through the field to nine under par, one stroke ahead of Welshman Bradley Dredge and two ahead of Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson on seven under.
“I don’t mind playing in windy conditions – I think it actually forces you into hitting certain golf shots and.jpg)
you don’t beat yourself up so much,” said Rumford (right), whose last European Tour win was the 2007 European Masters. “Today was completely different from the first day, which was all about just getting it around the golf course.
“But I’m not setting a benchmark for the weekend. When it’s set up this week in these conditions, it’s a very, very touch golf course. What you see on TV actually reflects how it plays – very lush, very green, perfect lies, perfect greens and a little bit different to what we are used to.”
Rumford’s round of seven birdies and one bogey was the highlight of a day that saw the leaderboard remain relatively unscathed as more familiar European Tour names failed to take advantage of the benign conditions.
Welshman Dredge – who had shared the overnight lead with Oliver Wilson of England – produced a 69 (-3) to hold second place, while Westwood maintained his charge with a 69 as Wilson had to settle for a 70 (-2). “With no wind, I thought the course was there for the taking,” said Dredge. “I didn’t play as well as the opening day but I’m still pleased with a 69.”
Despite Rumford’s slight advantage, European No.1 Westwood remains an ominous presence just two shots off the lead. And the world’s number four-ranked player brushed off suggestions that he should struggle with the new set of clubs he is using for the first time at Doha Golf Club.
“There’s no getting used to the new clubs – you shouldn’t have to get used to a new set of clubs. They should just fit straight in,” said Westwood after blotting six birdies with three bogeys. “I didn’t hit the ball as good as I did yesterday but while there was a lot less wind I suppose if you don’t hit it great and you shoot 69 you have to be pleased with your game.”
.jpg)
While Westwood remains the premier English player in the sport, fellow countryman Oliver Wilson continues to make great strides and Westwood would be more than happy to be paired with his fellow European Ryder Cup player as the tournament moves into its final two days
“Olly caddied for me once when I was 16 and he was something like 11,” said Westwood (left). “I wanted to use a 3-wood but he suggested I go with driver, which I did and went about 20 yards over the back of the green. That ended his caddying days with me - fortunately he’s turned out to be a better player than a caddie.”
While Wilson, Westwood, Dredge and Rumford maintain hopes of landing the Mother of Pearl trophy in the second of three events staged consecutively in the Middle East, Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, world number ten Ian Poulter, Major winners Todd Hamilton, Michael Campbell and Paul Lawrie as well as former Qatar champions Andrew Coltart and Darren Fichardt all missed the cut, while England’s Graeme Storm withdrew due to a shoulder injury.
With the cut at two over par - reflecting the severity of the test at Doha Golf Club this week - only 68 players will return to contest the final two days play with the action resuming tomorrow (Jan 30) in two ball groupings at 7.13am.
