Mark Warren is staring at becoming the fourth Scottish-born champion after muscling his way to a share of the lead with a round to play in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Warren grabbed six birdies and dropped only one shot in a five under 67 to join three others on 13-under par in ideal conditions on the Doha Golf Club course.
Those also sharing the lead include South African Branden Grace, who birdied the last in 68, along with Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (67) and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (67).
Scotland’s Marc Warren at the 16th and on route to sharing the lead on day three of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Three players – England’s Eddie Pepperell (65), South African George Coetzee (70) and Spain’s Alejandro Canizares (68) – share fourth place at 11-under par.
Scotland’s Andrew Coltart holds the distinction of capturing the inaugural Qatar Masters in 1998 and with Paul Lawrie winning a year later.
Lawrie then delivered Scotland as third victory on the only golf course in Qatar in 2012 to share honours with South Africa who also have three wins in the 15-year history.
And now Warren is primed to get his hands on one of the more spectacular golfing trophies away from the Majors.
He said: “The Claret Jug is the greatest trophy in golf but the Mother of Pearl trophy to be handed out tomorrow is pretty special.
“There’s already a bit of Scottish history at this event what with Andy and Paul winning and with both of him this week it would be great if I can add my name under theirs”.
Warren’s biggest threat should come from Grace, a five-time Tour winner, who captured last month’s Alfred Dunhill Championship and the second event of the 2014/15 wraparound schedule.
Warren commenced his round one behind 36-hole leader Wiesberger and after birdies at the second and sixth holes the Scot found himself alone in front with a birdie at the ninth
He birdied 10 before the only dropped of the day at the 14th but bounced back with back-to-back birdies at 15 and the short 16th where he drove the green.
He said: “I just misjudged the lie a little bit on 14 but came up short of the green, so to then birdie the next two was really pleasing.”
However after missing the green way right at the 18th Warren was left staring at the ground after his third shot skewed well left and below the hole and leaving him a good 30-footer from where the two-putted for par.
He said: “If it was lying better I would have used a lob-wedge but it was sitting against the grain and I was actually thinking of putting the ball, but I decided to hit a 7-iron chip-and run.
“I just mistimed it a little bit but I then had an uphill two-putt for par.”
Warren is not only also to looking to capture a fourth Tour title but become the first Scot anywhere to win since he claiming victory in last August’s Made In Denmark title.
He said: “I’m now very excited what lays ahead tomorrow as the last few years I have been in contention more regular.
“To win in Denmark was great and I still glean a lot of confidence from that victory, as it’s still fresh in my mind.
“But all I will be doing is trying to play the best I can and concentrating hard on what I am doing, and if someone shoots a lower score than me than good luck to them.
“So really I have nothing to lose tomorrow.”
If Warren should succeed he is certain to make a big leap from his current 71st place on the World Rankings and close to breaking well into the world’s top-60
It could mean thoughts of contesting next month’s WGC – Cadillac Championship and the likelihoos of teeing up for a first time in April’s US Masters.
