Singh finally hits form
World number two Vijay Singh saved his best for last as he brought to a close a disappointing week at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in Doha.
The Fijian was unable to get into his usual rhythm around the tight course, missing many birdie chances and never looking in contention for victory.
But he finished with a three-under-par 69 to leave himself with a two-under-par score for the event on a morning when the wind blew stronger than at any time during the four days.
Ernie Els, the world number five, has also been struggling to find his game as he attempted to retain the title he won a year ago.
But finishing with two birdies in his last three holes yesterday moved him to five under, still six shots off the lead held by Henrik Stenson, of Sweden, but in with a chance of repeating last year’s heroics.
Then the South African trailed by five going into the last day before overcoming Stenson to win, although his chances of doing it again suffered an early setback.
His final round today started with a pair of pars but a bogey at the third dropped him to four under, and seven off the leader.
Argentinian Ricardo Gonzalez, meanwhile, moved to within one stroke of Stenson, who had yet to tee off, and level with Niclas Fasth, of Sweden and England’s Paul Broadhurst, who birdied his first hole.
Nick Dougherty’s ruinous front nine on Saturday, where he shot a bogey at the third and a triple bogey at the fifth, had left him seemingly out of contention.
But the Englishman recovered to put himself back in the hunt at seven under, where he remained after two holes today.
Paul McGinle continues to be best of the Irish, on -6 after eight holes. Darren Clarke finished today on -3, while Damien McGrane is on two under after 10 holes. Peter Lawrie is three over after today's round.
