Doha, February 25, 2018-Oliver Fisher finished with four straight birdies as he carded a seven under par 65 to take the joint lead with fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell on Saturday an set up an intriguing final round in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Pepperell himself carded an impressive 66, comprising seven birdies and a bogey for a total of 16 under while American Sean Crocker made sure he was in with a chance on Sunday with a solid 67 for a 14 under.
Another Englishman David Horsey also carded a 65 to be placed at 12 under alongside Italian duo Lorenzo Gagli and Andrea Pavan, Frenchman Gregory Havret and Swede Marcus Kinhult.
Earlier, Fisher, who had started with a birdie on the third hole, continued his progress with furthermore birdies in the fifth, eighth and 11th holes, before a bogey in the 12th. But he then proved in irresistible form to surge to the top.
“It was a little bit cloudier than the other days and it's a bit different cos you have to adjust your eyes. The wind moved around a fair bit out there. So it was important to make sure that I was hitting with the right club," said Fisher. “The thing with this course is that you can quite easily make bogeys without doing much wrong. So it was important to be patient and keep giving yourself chances."
Pepperell started with a birdie in the very first hole and made more birdies in the fifth, seventh, 10th 13th, 16th and 18th holes.
Adrian Otaegui, the overnight leader had a disappointing day as he shot three bogeys and two birdies in a one over par 73 for a total of 10 under.