Des Smyth and Darren Clarke are the only Irish survivors at the halfway point of the $1.5 million Qatar Masters in Doha where all eyes are fixed on Australian Adam Scott who leads on 11-under par.
Smyth, 49, is just six shots off the pace after today’s round of 70, which contained no heroics, just two birdies at the 14th and 17th and the rest pars. Clarke, meanwhile, is a shot further back on four-under following his second consecutive 70.
Scott carded a fine six-under 66 and leads by three shots from, Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara (69), Denmark’s Anders Hansen (68) and Sweden’s Klas Eriksson (70) in a tie for second.
The 21-year-old Australian opened with a birdie and from there never looked back. The high point of the round was holing out his long iron for an eagle two at the par four 15th.
"I didn’t quite believe it," said Scott. "I didn’t expect the ball to go in. The 15th is a long hole, but I had a good drive and a long iron and that was it. It never happened with me in five years so I guess it was due."
Colin Montgomerie enjoyed a return to form, the former European number one is in a tie for fifth on seven-under after today’s 69. He joins fellow Scot Stephen Gallacher (68) and Jean-Francois Remesy (69) from France.
Michael Hoey’s round of 71 for a level par total 144 left the British Amateur champion agonisingly short of the cut mark by just one shot. Ronan Rafferty was two shots further back after his second 73 of the week.
The final Irish participant, Graham Spring, will want to forget his time in the desert after two 77’s left him tied for last place on 10-over.
As the leading Irishman, Smyth has positioned himself well to challenge over the weekend. Whatever happens it bodes well for the affable Drogheda professional ahead of his defence of the Madeira Island Open title next week. In winning his eighth European Tour title 12 months ago he also became the oldest winner on Tour.