Brandon Robinson-Thompson will take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after an extraordinary eagle on the 16th moved him out of the chasing pack’s reach on Friday.
The Englishman has been in fine form of late, smashing the course record with an opening 61 in Bahrain last week before sharing the first-round lead at Doha Golf Club following Thursday’s 66.
Morning starter Robinson-Thompson kept the momentum going in the second round as he fired a spotless 68 which contained birdies at the 8th and 10th and a remarkable eagle on the par-four 16th.
He drove the 16th green, sending his tee-shot to four feet, before tapping in the eagle putt to climb to 10 under par.
After finishing up with two closing pars, he set a testing clubhouse target which none of the afternoon starters were able to match.
South Korean MK Kim and Chinese pair Wenyi Ding and Li Haotong were in a tie for second on eight under after they each signed for 67s on day two. Japan’s Keita Nakajima and England’s Dan Brown were another shot back in joint-fifth.
South African’s Dylan Fichardt and Jayden Schaper were four shots behind Thompson in a share of seventh position. Fichardt’s seven birdies in his round of 70 were offset by five bogeys, while Schaper’s 69 had five birdies and two bogeys.
Robinson-Thompson said Qatar felt like a home from home for him, having spent a lot of time there over the years.
“I’ve been here so many times. I used to come here every year for about five or six years. I’ve played this course 50 or 60 times. I’m so comfortable out here.
“There isn’t a shot that I probably haven’t seen already and I have a bit of support out here.
“I’ve had a lot of friends I’ve met who have come out and supported me. It’s like a home game for me and that’s where the confidence and comfort comes from.”
Speaking about Friday’s round, HotelPlanner Tour graduate Robinson-Thompson said: “A great morning. It was tough, actually. The wind was ripping early. I thought the pins were quite tricky, so it was a lot of discipline.
“I hit a lot of shots to 30-40 feet and took my two putts and tried to take advantage of holes I could give myself chances on.
“Snuck one in on 16, hit driver to three or four feet. Happy with how I stayed patient and it’s good to finish bogey free.”
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
