Oosthuizen races to three-shot lead in Qatar

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Louis Oosthuizen is currently ranked 83rd in the world.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- Louis Oosthuizen notched seven birdies in a 7-under 65 Friday to lead by three shots after the second round of the Qatar Masters.

The 26-year-old South African moved past joint first-round leaders Andrew Coltart of Scotland, Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain to total 12-under 132 at Doha Golf Course.

"I am definitely playing well at the moment. I am pleased with my game," Oosthuizen said. "The only 'dodgy' moment came when I thought I would bogey the fifth hole, but I got out of it. I had a tough chip on the fifth, tried to be cute, but luckily I didn't bogey that. After that, I played regulation golf, good putts."

Coltart (69) is second, followed by Alvaro Quiros of Spain (67) and Brett Rumford of Australia (69) another stroke back.

Jimenez, who hit the driving range to practice following Friday's round, shot a 71 to be fifth at 137.

Coltart, the inaugural Qatar Masters champion in 1998, collected birdies on the 7th, 10th, 12th and 16th despite heavy rain hitting the course in the morning.

"Coming off the back of a 66 yesterday, I was quite proud of it," Coltart said. "I had a couple of scrappy moments, but obviously you can't play the same from one day to the next. I got the job done. Got my nice chips, pitches, putts and 3-under (shots) and I am happy going into the weekend.

"Initially, when we got up this morning, it really wasn't that cold. Only in the last hour and half, it got overcast and the rain threatened. It was looking a bit bleak."

Like Oosthuizen, Quiros sunk seven birdies -- including three straight to end the round -- to offset bogeys on the second and 15th.

"I was playing very well last week also but didn't have any luck," Quiros said. "And yesterday, I played good again, but didn't have any luck either. So today was the day. I am working correctly and putting good."

Sergio Garcia of Spain (70) is at 140, while defending champion Adam Scott of Australia (70) is at 143.

Paul Casey of England, who won the Abu Dhabi Championship earlier this month, missed the cut at level-par 144, along with Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and Justin Rose of England.