Coltart hits the front in Qatar

Former champion Andrew Coltart claimed the outright lead at the Qatar Masters this morning after picking up two shots during his second round at an overcast Doha Golf Club.

The Scot, who claimed the inaugural Pearl trophy 11 years ago, shared the overnight lead at six-under-par with Ryder Cup duo Henrik Stenson and Miguel Angel Jimenez but claimed sole possession after two quick birdies in four holes around the turn.

Veteran Spaniard Jimenez carded two birdies over his opening three holes but a bogey five at the 11th, his second of the day after starting on the back nine, left him seven-under and tied for second with Maarten Lafeber.

Holland’s Lafeber picked up three shots through the opening nine holes of his second round with two birdies over his first four holes and two over the last four wrapped around a solitary bogey five.

Lafeber has fallen down the golfing radar since his 2003 Dutch Open success and last year posted a third place finish at the Irish Open as his best performance of a mainly unspectacular season.

With 2006 champion Stenson set to begin his challenge later this morning from six under, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros and England’s Nick Dougherty moved onto five under.