Bradley Dredge edged ahead of overnight pace-setter Brett Rumford at the top of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy leaderboard at the start of the third round.
With conditions ideal for scoring, Dredge reeled off back-to-back birdies to progress to ten under par after three holes.
Playing partner Rumford remained at nine under after handing back an early advantage which had briefly doubled his one shot overnight lead in glorious sunshine at Doha Golf Club, in complete contrast to Thursday's blustery conditions.
Robert Karlsson joined European Number One Lee Westwood at seven under par with his own run of back-to-back birdies, although Oliver Wilson's challenge stumbled with an early double bogey.
Wilson, who held the first round lead alongside Dredge, needed two chips to escape the thick rough at the side of the second green, but bounced back with a birdie to join Paul Casey and clubhouse leader Retief Goosen at six under par.
Former champion Goosen dropped just one shot in a six under 66, with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño also safely home at four under after a bogey free 67.
