Qatar Masters: McGinley makes a move in Qatar
Ireland's Paul McGinley continued to claw his way back into contention in the early stages of the second round of the Qatar Masters.
McGinley was three over par after eight holes of his first round on Thursday and way off the pace set by leaders Mark Pilkington and Robert Karlsson at nine under par.
But the 34-year-old Irishman rolled in four birdies on the back nine to card an opening 71 and continued where he left off this morning.
Birdies on the 10th and 11th, his first two holes, took him to three under par and reduced his arrears to six shots with the leading duo among the afternoon starters.
They still enjoyed a two shot lead over the field with France's Olivier Edmond, another late starter, joined on seven under by Argentinian Angel Cabrera.
Cabrera, still seeking an elusive first tour victory, carded a six under 66 yesterday in the more difficult afternoon conditions, also birdied the par five 10th to move into a tie for third.
Sweden's Mathias Gronberg was also going well with two early birdies moving him to six under but England's Van Phillips, who shot 67 on Thursday, started with a seven to fall back down the field.
McGinley, ninth in the Dubai Desert Classic last week, picked up another birdie at the 17th, but failed to take advantage of the reachable par five 18th and was out in 33 to be four under for the tournament.
Cabrera's momentum had also stalled, eight straight pars after his initial birdie, leaving him on seven under and still two off the lead, the powerful hitter unusually failing to birdie the 18th and 1st holes, both par fives.
With the wind looking set to blow all day however, Cabrera and the chasing pack could expect not to lose too much ground to the leaders.
