Lawrie edges clear in Qatar

Scotland's Paul Lawrie will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Qatar Masters in Doha.

Lawrie shone on Saturday at the Doha Golf Club, firing a five-under 67 that featured six birdies - and a one-stroke penalty on the 10th green after he dropped his ball on his marker - as he moved to eight-under overall.

That was enough to give him the lead in the tournament reduced to 54 holes due to strong winds, ahead of Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts (68).

Sweden's Peter Hanson (69) and Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez (67) are a further shot adrift in a tie for third.

Lawrie - who won in Qatar in 1999 - began his round with a birdie but a bogey on the third robbed him of any early momentum.

The former British Open champion responded with birdies on holes seven, nine and 11 before finishing strongly to post 67 for the day.

Colsaerts hit four back-nine birdies in his 68 to keep the pressure on Lawrie, while Lawson's erratic 69 included four bogeys.

Gonzalez matched Lawrie's round of five-under with six birdies.

South African James Kingston is joined by England's Simon Khan in a tie for fifth at five-under while 10 players share seventh place at four-under, including world numbers 10 (Jason Day) and 18 (Sergio Garcia), as well as American veteran John Daly.

World number three Lee Westwood and fourth-ranked Martin Kaymer are five shots off the lead, while defending champion Thomas Bjorn is eight strokes back after shooting a day's best 65 to follow his opening 79.