Thomas Aiken finished his round befre play was suspended due to darkness for a share of the lead at 10-under at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The South African produced thirteen birdies and two bogeys in 31 holes on Friday in a bid to retain his DP World Tour card. A three-time winner on Tour, Aiken started the week in 161st place on the Race to Dubai Rankings and needs a good finish to keep his playing privileges.
“I played really solid today. We had 31 holes to play, so it was a long day. Early wake-up call,” said Aiken.
“It’s a course that I like, I’ve always played well here in the past. Unfortunately with the rain yesterday it got a little wet, normally it plays firm and fast, which is what I like.
“Hopefully it dries up over the weekend and starts playing more like that. But I played really solid. It’s tough competing against these youngsters these days – they hit it so far.
“It’s getting a little tougher to play in your forties, but I still feel like I can win out here. I just need the right golf course.
“Unfortunately I haven’t been able to pick and choose my courses this year. I’ve played a lot of courses I would normally not play, but this is definitely one where I’ve always done well in the past. It’s proving evident, so hopefully the form continues over the next two rounds.”
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier, who shared the overnight lead, is 3-under through eleven holes and still tied for the lead.
Spain’s Santiago Tarrio completes the leading trio at 4-under through twelve holes.
Defending champion Ewen Ferguson and fellow Scot Robert MacIntyre are both 3-under through nine holes and tied in fourth place at 9-under alongside Italy’s Edoardo Molinari who is 5-under through eleven holes.
