Paul Lawrie fired a brilliant 66 to set the clubhouse target on day two of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters as he seeks to become the first man to win the Mother of Pearl Trophy three times.
The 1999 and 2012 champion had expertly tackled the wind on his way to an opening 67 but took advantage of the calmer conditions on Thursday morning to get to 11 under and take a two-shot lead over Grégory Bourdy and Andrew Johnston.
Paul Lawrie and Branden Grace will go head-to-head on the final day of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters as both men chase history at Doha Golf Club.
Lawrie is seeking to become the first man to lift the Mother of Pearl Trophy three times after his triumphs in 1999 and 2012, while a win for Grace would make him the first player to successfully defend the title.
On a day when the trademark winds in Doha were the strongest they had been all week, Lawrie was a picture of consistency, recording 16 pars and birdies on the 14th and 18th to get to 13 under and open up a two-shot lead over Grace and Thorbjørn Olesen.
Paul Lawrie stays on course for record third win in Qatar Masters
The former Open champion Paul Lawrie enhanced his reputation as a bad-weather specialist to remain firmly on course for an unprecedented third victory in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
But the defending champion, Branden Grace, could also create history as the first player to defend the title successfully after a brilliant third-round 68 gave him a share of second place with Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen.