Paul Lawrie holds second-round lead at Qatar Masters

Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie holds a one-shot lead at 11-under 133 at the halfway point of the Qatar Masters at Doha, Qatar.

Lawrie fired seven birdies while carding a 66 in Thursday' s second round of action at Doha Golf Club. One shot back is Nicolas Colsaerts, who shot 68.

Lawrie is aiming to win his third Qatar Masters. He won the event in 1999 and 2012.

"It' s just nice to go back to places that you know you can play well on and you have done in the past," Lawrie said after the round. "It all helps. You see your name on the board a couple of times, you walk past it every day at the range. It' s got to help that you know you' ve won this tournament twice before."

A trio of golfers are two shots off the lead - Andrew Johnston, Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Gregory Bourdy.

Sergio Garcia is among five golfers who are at 8-under. Garcia shot a second-round 66 after posting a 70 in the opening round.