Lawrie one shot clear in EPGA Qatar Open

Former champion Paul Lawrie will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Qatar Masters despite incurring a penalty on the 10th hole on Saturday when he “accidentally” dropped his ball on his marker.

Nobody saw the marker move and Lawrie himself was sure it hadn’t, but nevertheless had to take the one-stroke penalty.

“There are so many rules, it’s impossible to get them perfect,” Lawrie said after a round of five-under 67.

“It was an accident, I was not trying to gain any advantage,” the Scot added.

Despite the setback, Lawrie went on to birdie the next hole and ended the day with an eight-under-par 136 aggregate to lead Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts (68) by one shot in the event, reduced to 54 holes.

Swede Peter Hanson (69) and Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez (67) were joint third, a further stroke down, while South African James Kingston (69) and England’s Simon Khan (68) were on 139.

Lawrie, who won the event in 1999 and later that year went on to claim the British Open, is looking for his seventh title on the European Tour, but he was not getting ahead of himself.

“Anything can happen, there’s still plenty of golf to be played,” said the Scot, ranked 78th in the world.

“I will give it my best shot tomorrow and see what happens.”

The tournament was cut short to 54 holes after fierce desert winds lashed the Doha Golf Club on Friday forcing officials to call off play.

With the sponsors and partners insisting that the tournament be finished on Sunday, it was decided not to extend to Monday.

Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castanio, who led at six under after the first round, failed to capitalise on his advantage, shooting a 75 on Saturday to slip to three under, while John Daly, who had stroked a 67 in atrocious conditions on Thursday, was on four-under 140.

World number three Lee Westwood was on three under after completing his second round.

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