Fellow Scot Marc Warrren insists he’s owed some cash if Paul Lawrie goes on to capture a record three Commercial Bank Qatar Masters crowns.
Lawrie singled out his fellow Scot for praise after posting a six under par 66 to muscle his way to a one shot lead at 11-under par on second windswept day in Doha.
However Lawrie’s biggest fear in a goal of becoming the first player to win three Qatar Masters titles, after victories in 1999 and 2012, could be big-hitting Belgium Nicolas Colsaerts.
Colsaerts, who added a 68 to his opening 66, is already eight under par on the par fives while Lawrie is just four under.
Bizarrely, Colsaerts was in second place and one shot behind Lawrie when four years ago the Scot claimed a second Qatar success.
And in another twist Lawrie was also 11-under par after two rounds when he claimed victory in Doha in 1999.
Paul Lawrie (SCO) tees off the 6th tee during Thursday’s Round 2 of the 2016 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters held at the Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar. 28th January 2016.
Picture: Eoin Clarke | Golffile
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Eoin Clarke)
“My round was pretty much the same as Wednesday, hitting a lot of good shots and a lot of greens and with the only mistake, and that was a three-putt from 18-feet at the 15th,” said Lawrie.
“So when you play as nicely as that and control the flight of the ball as well as I did yesterday, then you know you’re going to shoot low.
“The good thing also my attitude is always pretty good when it gets blowy as it is easy to get grumpy, and a bit grizzly as I tend to do, and when it’s windy you tend to struggle.
“So I tend to accept things a bit better when it’s windy and that’s what you have to do, and a lot of guys struggle in accepting those type of conditions.”
Lawrie had been on the practice putting green last week in Abu Dhabi when Warren offered his advice.
“Marc Warren took a look at my putting in Abu Dhabi last week after I had missed the cut and he said the same as everyone else has been saying and that is my stroke was too long,” said Lawrie.
Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) lines up his putt on the 7th green during Thursday’s Round 2 of the 2016 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters held at the Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar. 28th January 2016.
Picture: Eoin Clarke | Golffile
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Eoin Clarke)
“He said it also needed to be a little shorter and a little quicker so I have been working at it the last couple of days and it’s starting to feel comfortable.”
Warren also bounced back from missing last week’s Abu Dhabi halfway cut with scores of 73 and 68 for a three under par tally.
And if Lawrie does proceed to claim victory Warren will be among the first lining up for a portion of £290,000 first prize cheque
“Hopefully, he pays me back if he wins,” said Warren smiling.
“We were on the Abu Dhabi practice putting green just messing about and it was nothing really but clearly if he’s taken my advice, and it would seem he has, then it’s clearly working for him these two days.
“And it’s the good thing about this game that we are out here always trying to pick each other’s brains and you can give advice or take advice from someone also you’re trying to beat.
“Sometimes it’s easy also to trust other players to keep an eye on what you’re working on and this is case with guys like Paul and myself.”
Warren was on the Doha practice range when asked to comment about his round but it was Scott Jamieson, and posting a 70 for a one under par tally, who was standing next to Warren who asked to answer on behalf of Warren who carded a 68 for a three under 36-hole total.
“Yes, it was a solid day and I just ripped it but then I actually played awful,” said Jamieson smiling.
“Conditions were dead easy but then I made it look a shambles, and now my pal ‘Jamo’ looks as though he’s going to miss the cut as he shot one under and made it look so damn easy”.
And when Warren, ala Jamieson, and still smiling, was asked what putting advice he gave to Lawrie he responded: “Ah, I just told him to hit is harder.”
