Rumford takes half-way lead in Doha

Former European number one Robert Karlsson led a muted challenge to second-round clubhouse leader Brett Rumford at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters on Friday.

Australian Rumford set the midway mark at nine under par after dropping just one shot in a six-under 66 to open up a single-shot lead over Bradley Dredge.

Oliver Wilson and Lee Westwood are on seven under, while Karlsson and Niclas Fasth (68) are six under.

In-form South African Charl Schwartzel (69) and Peter Hanson (69) also safely home a further shot off the pace, defending champion Alvaro Quiros picked up three shots in 13 holes to progress to four under.

Peter Lawrie and Graeme McDowell are best of the Irish contingent on four under, while Shane Lowry is also well placed on three under.

Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey bith made the cut on one-over and two over respectively, however, Damien McGrane missed out by one shot, finishing on three over.

Earlier, 2007 European Masters winner Rumford chipped in at his ninth hole of the day to reach the turn in a bogey-free five under par after starting on the back nine in calm conditions following on from yesterday's troublesome wind.

He handed a sixth birdie of the day back with his only blemish coming on the tricky front nine after failing to make a tough up-and-down, but played a sublime chip into his final green to tap home to edge ahead.

‘I haven't thought about being in the lead, I just did my own thing and didn't look at the scoreboards,’ said world number 360 Rumford, who rated Thursday's opening-round 69 as a seven-under-par effort given the blustery wind.

‘I made some nice up-and-downs. The front nine was key after getting off to a good start on the first and I kept the momentum running and holed some nice putts.

‘I played steadily coming home but just didn't hole the putts, but I am pleased. My driving has been better this week and if I drive it well I usually play well.’

Joint overnight leader Dredge was left disappointed with a three-under 69'. He left it late to make his move up the leaderboard with two birdies over his final three holes.

‘It was a complete opposite to yesterday,’ the Welshman said.

‘Yesterday I thought level par was going to be a good score, but today with no wind really, I thought the course was there for the taking. I didn't play well, but I'm pleased with a 69.’

Wilson, who began the day alongside Dredge at the top of the leaderboard on five under par, was left ‘clueless’ by the greens at Doha Golf Club and picked up just two birdies in a bogey-free 70 to join European number one Westwood at seven under.

Westwood missed a six-foot par putt at his penultimate hole of the day for a second bogey, but bounced back to birdie the last to remain in contention after continuing to reap the benefits of a new set of irons with a second-round 69.