South Africa held sway over the rest of the field at the end of the third round of the Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club as Darren Fichardt and James Kingston tied for the lead on 206, ten under par. Fichardt, winner of the Sao Paulo Brazil Open in 2001, made the most noteworthy move with a 66 to catch long-time leader Kingston.
The South African pair went into the final round three shots clear of Australian Peter Fowler and four ahead of another Aussie, Richard Green, England’s David Howell and Paul McGinley of Ireland.
Kingston had been prominent since starting out in the first group on Thursday morning before the sandstorms halted play and precipitated a European Tour decision on Saturday to reduce the halfway cut to 50 players and ties instead of 70 and ties.
The 37 year old shot a third round of 71 to maintain his position at the head of affairs alongside Fichardt while Fowler also signed for a one under par 71 to finish on 209 with Green, Howell and Ryder Cup hero McGinley shooting 70, 72 and 70 respectively for 210.
England’s Philip Golding had carded a 68 for a share of fourth on 210 but unfortunately replaced a two iron with as four iron overnight and played two holes under those circumstances. However that decision proved costly as he incurred a four stroke penalty under Rule 4-4 (a) and his 68 became a 72.
Andy McFee, Chief Referee of The European Tour, explained: “Phil re-started at the ninth hole this morning. Overnight he had decided to replace his two iron with a four iron. However he is limited to the 14 clubs he started with and has no authority to change clubs mid-round.
“He realised before re-starting his round that what he had done was perhaps not correct and turned the four iron upside down, indicating that the club was out of play. He was correct to do that as an indication he was not using it. However he still carried it in his bag which contravenes the rule.
“As a result Phil had added a club, which meant that, in effect, he had 15 clubs. The penalty under Rule 4-4 (a) is a penalty of two strokes for each hole that the breach occurs up to a maximum of four strokes. As he had played the ninth and tenth, this resulted in two strokes for each hole – a total of four.”
Golding had made birdie fours at both the ninth and tenth, but after the penalty this became a six at each hole.
