Marc Warren pulled off what he described as the ‘Shot of his Career’ to move into fourth place but only one shot off the lead after two rounds of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Warren muscled his way towards a fourth Tour success and bouncing back after missing the cut last week in Abu Dhabi in posting a seven under par 65 in ideal scoring conditions on the Doha Golf Club course.
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (66) and the South African pair of George Coetzee (67) and Branden Grace (68) share the lead on nine under par.
Callaway’s Marc Warren pulls off the’Shot of his Career’ during day two of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
The Callaway attached Warren is tied with Korean Byeong-hum An (69) and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (69).
The Scot commenced his round from the 10th and made the turn in two under with three birdies and a bogey before igniting the fireworks in eagling the par five first hole where he good drive down the right fairway and with 265-yard to the front of the green, and 279-yards to the hole, Warren ‘smoked’ the 3-wood shot to just seven feet left of the hole from where he drained the putt.
“That 3-wood shot, and 279-yards probably my limit with the club, was one of the best shots I’ve ever hit in my career,” he said smiling.
“I just smoked it putting a nice draw on the ball that was drawing right on the flag and landing it just seven feet left of the hole.
“I made a few birdies over my front nine, and the back nine of the course, but the eagle was a real momentum changer as I then played the inward half in 31 and five under thanks also to four birdies and also one bogey.
“My best shot prior to the eagle today was in winning the 2006 Scandinavian Masters when I remember having to carry a 267-yard shot from off the deck onto the green down the last hole to win my first Tour event.”
The Callaway 3-wood, despite sporting a new shaft, was the same club Warren used to capture last year’s Made in Denmark title.
Paul Lawrie birdied his opening hole but was left ruing a second hole double bogey in a score of 73 to drop to four under par.
While Scott Jamieson was left lamenting a poor last few holes after moving to seven under par through 13 holes but then playing the last five in four over par that included a 17th hole double.
And Scotland’s top-ranked Stephen Gallacher will play all four rounds despite a second round 75 to make the cut right on the one under par mark.
