Oosthuizen takes lead in Qatar
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2009 Qatar Masters | Round Two | 24 Jan 2009
South African Louis Oosthuizen grabbed the lead at the completion of 36 holes of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, his second round of 65 sweeping him to a three shot lead over previous winner Andrew Coltart.
Oosthuizen, who finished runner up last week in Abu Dhabi and 10th the previous week at the Joburg Open, continued his fine run of form with a mistake free second round and has created a great opportunity to win his first event on the European Tour.
The 26-year-old, who was the World Junior champion in 2000 and often won in his homeland, is playing his sixth European Tour season but until this week his best has been when runner up at the Dunhill Championship in late 2005 and at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship.
Alvaro Quiros and Australian Brett Rumford share third position just one shot behind Coltart with Miguel Angel Jimenez one shot further back.
The next best of the Australasians after Rumford is Rod Pampling who added a round of 68 to move from 23rd to 6th, Aaron Baddeley is 16th, while Adam Scott and Scott Strange are the only other Australasians to make the cut in 47th position.
Defending champion Scott improved with a round of 70 but is still 11 shots behind the leader. Last year Scott came from seven behind over the weekend with rounds of 65 and 61 but he faces a massive task if he is to successfully defend.
