Kaymer clicks into gear in Doha

Martin Kaymer suddenly found top form again at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters today – but probably too late to take him to world number one tomorrow.

Needing to finish first or second in Doha to replace Lee Westwood – who missed the cut in Doha – at the head of the rankings – the 26-year-old German played the last nine holes of his third round in a dazzling 31.

However, it followed an outward 37 containing eight pars and a bogey six on the long ninth and with a 68 Kaymer was still deep in the pack.

He stood one under par as overnight leader Markus Brier prepared to tee off again on seven under, one in front of South Africa’s 2003 winner Darren Fichardt.

After just two birdies in his first 45 holes, though, Kaymer’s five on the inward half was a return to the style he produced in Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago. He won by eight there with an inspired 24-under-par display.

Westwood, in contrast, has started the year with a 64th-place finish and now an early exit. Even if he hangs onto top spot this weekend the Worksop golfer will surely have to step up his game at next week’s Dubai Desert Classic to stay there.

The biggest early move in the third round came from Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who with six birdies in his first 10 holes charged into a tie for third place on five under with defending champion Robert Karlsson, England’s Richard Finch and Dane Thomas Bjorn.