James Kingston of South Africa resumes the third round of the Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club on Sunday morning with a two stroke lead over England’s David Howell. Both players have 14 holes to complete followed by the final round when the tournament gets back on schedule after Thursday’s weather delay.
A decision was taken by The European Tour to reduce the cut from 70 and ties to 50 and ties in order to complete the tournament within the four-day schedule. Instead of 89 players on 147, three over par, a total of 54 players on 145 began the third round in sunny but breezy conditions.
The problem had been caused by the loss of over seven and a half hours of play on Thursday due to a severe dust storm followed by high winds. This factor, combined with a large field of 89, meant that the event could not be completed on Sunday afternoon.
The European Tour’s policy, as stated in 10 iii) (a) of the Regulations Book, reads: “Bearing in mind that the prime objective on all occasions is to complete the stipulated 72 holes within the four days, the 36 hole cut may be reduced to the first 50 players and ties, with the final 36 holes being played on the last day”.
David Williams, Tournament Director, said: “In the circumstances, we decided to cut to 50 players and ties, providing a field of 54 for the last two rounds. The remaining 35 players will be paid commensurate with their positions in the field, but they will not have the opportunity to improve their position. The money paid is official money.”
Kingston, who shot a superb wind-cheating 67 in the second round thanks to an inward half of nine straight pars, opened his third round with another quartet of pars to remain on nine under par. Howell, meanwhile, birdied the first to move within two strokes at seven under.
Three players remain just behind the leader, jostling for position – David Dixon of England, Darren Fichardt of South Africa and Australia’s Peter Fowler. Fichardt had the most adventurous day of that trio, starting with his second round resumption at 6.30am.
Fichardt began his day with two birdies and followed it with a hole in one thanks to a three iron at the third. In the afternoon he started out at four under and improved his position to six under by picking up two shots in his first six holes.
