Lafeber out of Qatar

Ireland's Gary Murphy shares the lead at the Qatar Masters in Doha.

Meanwhile, European Ryder Cup hopeful Maarten Lafeber pulled out of the Qatar Masters in Doha today when only three strokes off the lead.

The Dutchman, currently standing in the 10th and last automatic qualifying place in the cup race, had reached halfway on three under par, but he felt unable to continue this morning because of a virus.

His withdrawal comes only a week after ninth-placed Carlos Rodiles quit when going well in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Rodiles was five under par after three holes of his final round, but suffered a recurrence of a rib muscle injury and scratched his name from the Qatar field as well.

This weekend was a golden opportunity for Lafeber to make another move towards what would be a shock cup debut against the Americans in September.

Only one member of the world’s top 50 – Londoner Brian Davis at 50th – is playing in Doha and Lafeber, 121st in the rankings, is one of the most improved players in Europe.

He became the first home winner of the Dutch Open since 1947 last October and had 10 top 10 finishes last year.

Five players – Gary Murphy, Ian Woosnam, Andrew Oldcorn, Nobuhito Sato and Gregory Havret – shared the lead entering the third round, but the entire 84-strong field was covered by a mere five strokes with 36 holes to play.

Davis and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, battling for places in the Masters next month and for Ryder Cup points, were only one behind.

A minute’s silence was being held at 1.45pm as a mark of respect for the victims of the Madrid bombings.

The Spanish flag behind the 18th green was lowered to half-mast yesterday and players and caddies were given black ribbons to wear.