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Edfors surges into Qatar lead

25/01/2008

Sweden's Johan Edfors fired six birdies in seven holes to lead the Qatar Masters by two strokes at the halfway stage.

The 32-year-old carded 66 to lie on nine-under par, while England's Lee Westwood and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel are in second place after both going round in 70.

Colin Montgomerie made 68 to lie on five-under along with Nick Dougherty and Henrik Stenson, while Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and Paul McGinley missed the cut of one over par.

In blustery conditions at the Doha Golf Club, Edfors stole the show with three birdies in a row from the tenth hole.

The Swede, who won three Tour titles in 2006, then produced another hat-trick of birdies to go past Westwood and Schwartzel on the leaderboard.

Edfors attributed his success to taking a two-month break last year.

"I wasn't very happy with the way I was playing last year and how I was feeling on the course," he said.

"I wasn't enjoying myself as much as I usually do, and changed some aspects especially during tournament week so now I think I'm getting back into the shape that I want to be."

Veteran Westwood, who picked up two late birdies, said he was pleased with his second round in the difficult conditions.

"If nothing goes for you, you can't be disappointed," Westwood said.

"Seventy is a good score in these conditions. There's not that many people shooting that and it's there or thereabouts, two behind going into the weekend which is a lot better than last week."