DOHA, Qatar, March 16 (UPI) -- Adam Scott started the day three shots ahead at the Qatar Masters Saturday and ended it the same way, moving the 21-year-old australian closer to his second victory on the European Tour.
A third-round 69 gave Scott a 14-under total of 202 and maintained his position at the top. The order of his closest challengers, however, underwent some change.
At the start of the day, Sweden's Klas Eriksson, Denmark's Anders Hansen and Jose Manuel Lara of Spain were tied for second. But they all fell back.
Jean-Francois Remesy of France carded a 68 for an 11-under 205.
Another shot back were Nick Dougherty, Stephen Gallacher, Miguel Angel Martin and Colin Montgomerie.
Scott, winner of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in 2001, could have extended his lead even further but saw his four-foot birdie effort at the last hit a spike mark and miss the hole to the right.
"It would have been nice to make that one at the last, but overall it is a good result because it was a tough day out there with the wind blowing a lot," Scott said. "I had the chance to run away with it because I played beautifully on the front nine."
Scott was five clear of the field at one stage, but he dropped his only shot of the day at the 12th, where his 8-iron approach flew through the back of the green.
"Tomorrow I will go out and try to be comfortable straight away, get a putt going in or something like that to get relaxed and get into a good rhythm," he said. "That will be the key. It's nothing you can force, you've just got to let it happen and I think my time has come."
