Ewen Ferguson superbly boosted hopes of a double Doha victory delight heading to the weekend rounds of the CB Qatar Masters.
Ferguson grabbed eight birdies in a six-under 66 to be sharing fifth place at nine-under, and just three off the pace as the Scot seeks a repeat of his maiden Tour win four years ago.
The Dubai-based Scot was out from the 10th tee picking-up birdies at the 13th and 16th holes ahead of a bogey at 17.
He then birdied the first hole ahead of draining a 12-footer birdie at the second to move to three-under for the round.
FERGUSON FANCIES A SECOND MOTHER OF PEARL VICTORY
Ewen Ferguson @EwboF @modestgolf excited at thoughts of a hopeful second @CBQatarMasters & just three shots back post day two @DohaGolfClub
“The always inspires me & I always have good vibes everytime I’m here”.… pic.twitter.com/3pwFbrExjr
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) February 6, 2026
Birdies followed at four and five and while bogeying the sixth, Ferguson bounced back with birdies at seven and also the par-3 eighth, and the 17th of his round, where he holed a superb 10-footer from the putting fringe.
He closed out with a par to finish at nine-under and be well in the weekend mix to also become a hopeful fourth Scottish-born champ in Qatar.
Ferguson said: “It was a really good round. I felt a bit tired as you could see from my terrible swing off my first but I managed to get it all together in the middle of my front nine.
“Also as the morning got a bit hotter, I began to play a lot better while it was a nice way to finish with a couple more birdies.
“It’s an amazing golf course while this tournament and the trophy will always be special to me. Obviously, there’s good vibes aound here.
“When I turn up, on the range, good memories, good feelings and just a great city to be in, lots of nice places for dinner. Quite happy here and it’s not too far from where I live, so it’s nive be here.”
Grant Forrest birdied his closing two holes in a bogey-free 67 and moved to seven-under while Calum Hill regrouped after a boyey-laden opener, posting a second day 69 to be a three-under.
Cameron Adam made it just four Scots from a starting contingent of 11 to make cut, adding a 70 for a two-under two round tally
Missing the cut were David Law, Connor Syme, Scott Jamieson, Richie Ramsay, Daniel Young, Euan Walker and amateur Dominic McGlinchey.
Patrick Reed continues his impressive Middle East form adding a 67 to his opening 65 to lead the way by a shot at 12-under.
Swede Joakim Lagergren is second at 11-under with Richard Sterne, and looking to be a record seventh South African-born winner, signing for a 66 to be tied third with in-form Kiwi Daniel Hillier (69).
MEANTIME …
Scot Marc Warren is just one off the lead heading to the weekend in the season-opening secondary HotelPlaner Tour event in Cape Town, South Africa.
The four-time former DP World Tour champ grabbed an eagle and three birdies in a second day score of 70.
