Garcia and Kaymer firmly in the hunt
Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer, Ryder Cup team-mates who both ended last year lifting a trophy, are part of a four-way tie for the halfway lead at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
But Paul Lawrie, another of Europe’s heroes in Chicago, saw his defence of the title come to a premature end after a four-putt double bogey on the 15th hole. He missed the cut by a single stroke.
Playing partner Garcia shot 66 and Kaymer returned a 67 to be alongside Australian Marcus Fraser and Portugal’s Ricardo Santos on nine under par.
Garcia underwent laser eye surgery to correct astigmatism following the victory over the Americans in September, but finished 2012 with a round of 61 for a three-shot win at the Johor Open in Malaysia.
That came two weeks after Kaymer, the man who sank the putt to retain the Ryder Cup, took the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa by two.
While the German played in Abu Dhabi last week and came joint, sixth this is Garcia’s first appearance of the season.
“It was nice, I definitely felt I played a little bit better than yesterday,” said the 32-year-old after his six birdies.
“I gave myself a lot of chances and I can’t be disappointed.”
Up and down
First-round leader Santos followed up his 65 with a 70, making a fine up and down from the bunker at the par five last, while Fraser did the same on the long ninth to complete his 67.
World number four Justin Rose made his first cut in five visits to Doha – “that’s almost like leading the tournament round here,” he joked – but with a 71 for five under last week’s runner-up has four strokes to make up and lies joint 20th.
Open champion Ernie Els, winner in 2005, made it through with nothing to spare on one under.
Michael Hoey was best of the Irish on five-under following a 69 while Damien McGrane was a shot further back after a 72. Peter Lawrie and Gareth Maybin, both on one-under following 71s, made the cut which fell on that mark. New Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley (75) bowed out as did Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie.