Gallacher a shot behind in Qatar

Scot’s second round 66 puts him right into contention at halfway stage

Stephen Gallacher is just one shot off the halfway lead in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after a second round 66 left him 10 under par.

Setting the pace is Spain’s Adrian Otaegui, who produced a blistering finish to move to the top of a crowded leaderboard.

Otaegui birdied the last three holes at Doha Golf Club to add a second round of 66 to his opening 67 and finish 11 under par, a shot ahead of Gallacher, England’s Eddie Pepperell, France’s Gregory Havret and South African Erik van Rooyen.

Gallacher, who is something of a desert specialist after winning back-toback titles in Dubai, said: “It depends on the elements.

“If it’s windy and you break 70 you’ve got a good score. If it’s flat calm it’ll be like the first day. We’ll see what the weather’s like and just try to be in contention coming down the stretch on Sunday.”

The highlight of Gallacher’s bogeyfree 66 was a birdie from 50 feet on the 13th, while American Sean Crocker is part of a 10-strong group on nine under after finishing eagle, par, eagle in his 68.

On another day of low scoring in unusually calm conditions, the halfway cut fell at a record four under par and means the remaining 78 players are separated by just seven shots.

Both Connor Syme and Bradley Neil missed the cut.

“I know I’m playing well, I’m confident with my game at the moment and I’m just trying to keep my momentum going,” said Otaegui, who won his maiden European Tour title in the Paul Lawrie Match Play last year.

“I’m really looking forward to the weekend now. I just wanted to stay patient hole after hole and we’ll see what happens.” Arbroath basketball star Gareth Murray, who had been a doubtful starter last week due to a leg injury, came back to put in a strong performance for Great Britain men in their World Cup qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv yesterday.

But in the end he could not prevent GB going down to an 82-75 defeat which leaves them still without a win in their group and with a tough away game against Greece to come in Heraklion tomorrow.

The Glasgow Rocks guard hit a threepointer to put GB 73-72 up with just over two minutes left to take his personal tally to 12 points.

The 6ft 7in Arbroath High FP had already connected with two other shots from beyond the three-point arc for a remarkable 75% average.

But the Israelis immediately hit back with a four-point play and finished strongly for a deserved victory.

Picture: Getty. Stephen Gallacher has fired himself into a great position going into today’s third round.