CHRIS WOODS IN THE LEAD IN QATAR MASTERS

 

English man Chris Wood has a great chance to win his first European Tour after moving into a three-shot lead at the Qatar Masters.

The 6ft 5in Bristol golfer, probably best  remembered for his challenges at the 2008 and 2009 Open Championships, covered the front nine at Doha in just 31 and followed that with an eight-foot eagle putt on the 548-yard 10th.

A bogey at the 12th was his only slip up before he added further birdies at 14 and 16 for an eight-under 64 and a three-round total of 15-under.

Third round leaderboard

(GB & Ire unless stated)

-15 C Wood
-12 S Khan
-12 A Noren (Swe)
-12 M Campbell (NZ)
-11 B Grace (Rsa)
-11 S Garcia (Spa)

That put him three clear of fellow Englishman Simon Khan, who matched Wood with a 64, Swede Alex Noren (66) and former US Open champion Michael Campbell (68) of New Zealand

Spaniard Sergio Garcia  looked set to eat into Wood's lead but the Spanish Ryder Cup star bogeyed 15 and 18 to drop back into tied sixth place on 11-under.

While Garcia will still harbour strong victory hopes, fellow Medinah hero Martin Kaymer needs to really put his foot down in Saturday's final round.

The German started the day tied for the lead at nine-under but stayed there after a level par 72 and now has six shots to make up.

Thorbjorn Olesen, who finished joint runner-up with Rose in last week in Abu Dhabi is still a factor though after he gave himself a late boost with an eagle two on the par four 16th. The Dane is five behind on 10-under.