Winther makes the most of early start

Denmark’s Jeff Winther claimed a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Qatar Masters as Aberdeen’s David Law dropped down the leaderboard on day two.

Law was the first-round leader after an opening seven-under-par 64 but followed that up with a 75 to finish the day tied 23rd.

He said: “It was frustrating. The conditions were much tougher today.

“The wind really got up for the last nine holes and the crosswinds made it tricky.

“It is going to be a similar strength of wind for the third round but coming from a different direction, so hopefully that gives me the chance to move back up the leaderboard.”

Winther began his second round at 6.45am local time yesterday and carded five birdies and a single bogey to record a second successive 67 and finish eight-under-par.

With the wind picking up significantly as the day went on, none of the later starters were able to catch Winther, with Jamie Donaldson, Jack Senior, Darren Fichardt, Kalle Samooja and Kurt Kitayama sharing second on six under.

“I love coming back here and I have good memories from last year,” said Winther, who finished a shot outside the play-off between Jorge Campillo and David Drysdale 12 months ago.

“I really like this course, it’s great to play and the conditions are fantastic. The greens are very nice.”

Donaldson secured the winning point for Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles but has not tasted victory since the Thailand Golf Championship on the Asian Tour in December 2015.

The 45-year-old, who had surgery on a wrist injury in late 2018, carded four birdies and one bogey in a second successive 68 and said: “I played nicely, hit a lot of good shots and gave myself quite a lot of chances.

“I’m feeling pretty good. It took a while for the wrist operation to get back to normal.

“Feeling happy, just (need) more of the same tomorrow.”

Scott Jamieson is sitting best of the Scots at tied 15th on four under after rounds of 67 and 71.

Grant Forrest joins Law on three under with David Drysdale on level par after rounds of 70 and 72.

Richie Ramsay finished one over after a second round of 74, with Stephen Gallacher on three over after scores of 70 and 75.