Murphy tied for lead in Qatar

Gary Murphy is tied for the lead at the halfway point in the Qatar Masters in Doha.

And joining him, after four missed cuts in a row in Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney and Dubai, is 46-year-old Ian Woosnam.

The globe-trotting Woosnam, whose last stroke play victory was seven years ago, came home in a four under par 32 to join Murphy, Scot Andrew Oldcorn, Japan’s Nobuhito Sato and Frenchman Gregory Havret on the six under mark of 138.

All 84 players still in the tournament, however, still harbour hopes of the first prize.

Only five strokes separate the five pacesetters from those who made it on the cut mark – a European tour record.

While pre-tournament favourite Paul McGinley – runner-up to O’Meara – failed to qualify, Murphy, a best-ever 59th on the circuit last season, stepped up his bid for a first success with six birdies in the last 11 holes for a 67.