DOHA: Thomas Aiken gave his chances of keeping his DP World Tour card a huge boost after making 13 birdies and two bogeys in 31 holes to grab a share of the lead at the 26th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters here at the Doha Golf Club on Friday.
Play was suspended due to fading light at 4.58 pm, with competitors set to resume their second rounds at 6.30 am on Saturday morning.
“I played really solid today. We had 31 holes to play, so it was a long day. Early wake-up call.
“It’s a course that I like, I’ve always played well here in the past. Unfortunately, with the rain yesterday it got a little wet, normally it plays firm and fast, which is what I like,” Aiken said after the completion of his second round.
Of those still to finish, Daniel Hillier and Santiago Tarrio share the lead with Aiken on ten under par. The pair have seven and six holes to finish respectively, with Tarrio carding his fourth birdie of the day on his final hole before the suspension to move into a share of the lead.
Sharing fourth place on nine under par, and still to finish their rounds, are defending champion and Dubai based Ewen Ferguson, his fellow Scotsman Robert MacIntyre, and Ryder Cup Vice Captain Edoardo Molinari.
Rikuya Hoshino of Japan, 2009 Qatar Masters winner Alvaro Quiros and Englishmen Jordan Smith and Matt Wallace are in the clubhouse in a share of seventh on eight under par.
The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is the final counting event on the 2023 Race to Dubai, giving players the final opportunity to secure their cards for next season. The Top 116 competitors on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex will secure playing privileges for 2024, with Alexander Knappe of Germany occupying the 116th and final place as things stand.
