Ireland's Paul McGinley is four shots off the Qatar Masters lead after five holes of his third round but play has been suspended for the day due to darkness.
The Dubliner, who is suffering from pneumonia, finished the delayed second round this morning in level par 72 and then birdied the par five first on his third round to move to five-under for the tournament.
The remainder of the third round will be played tomorrow morning, followed immediately by the final 18 holes.
South African James Kingston leads the tournament by two shots after a superb bogey-free second round of 67 in the stiff wind.
England's David Howell is on seven under having played the first hole of his third round.
David Dixon, Peter Fowler and Jean-Francois Remesy occupy a three-way tie on six under-par.
Padraig Harrington started his third round poorly and is three over after nine holes - two over for the tournament.
The pre-tournament favourite double-bogeyed the par three third, bogeyed the next, birdied the sixth before bogeying the par five ninth.
Peter Lawrie also made a disastrous start to his third round. The Dubliner is five over after ten holes and sits at four over for the tournament.
Damian McGrane birdied the 14th hole - his fifth - to move to level par after one hole of the third round.