Qatar Masters

Webster joins Cabrera-Bello in Qatar lead

ESPN staff

January 24, 2014

Steve Webster hit a 70 on Friday © Getty Images

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Steve Webster capitalised on Rafael Cabrera-Bello's struggles during Friday's third round to take a share of the lead at the Qatar Masters in Doha.

Cabrera-Bello led by two shots overnight on 13 under but was pegged back to 12 under, which Webster matched with a two-under 70.

Adrien Saddier - who shot a brilliant eight-under 64 - joined Thorbjorn Olesen and Thomas Aiken in a tie for third place one shot back. Paul Lawrie is in a group of five who share sixth place on 10 under.

Webster started poorly with two dropped shots as he struggled on his first six holes, but finished strongly to leave himself with a chance to secure a first title since the 2007 Portugal Masters.

"That wasn't a pretty start, you were watching it and it was bad enough playing it," Webster told Sky Sports.

"I hit it really good on the range and may have got a bit cocky on the course, I hit so many bad shots on the first six or holes - those first six were like I'd never played golf before.

"They tucked the pins away a bit today so especially when you're struggling it's hard even just to hit the greens. The set-up has been good all week but you've got to hit those fairways to have a chance.

"I've swung the club well apart from the first six holes today so I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Despite surrendering his lead, Cabrera-Bello remains positive ahead of Saturday's final round.

"It's been a tougher day today," he said. "Things didn't go as great as they have been going so far. I still think I played OK but didn't manage to score as good and I left a few shots out there.

"But overall I hope I've got the not-so-good round out of the way and I'm still in a great position so I'm looking forward to tomorrow - anything can happen around this course so it's going to be very interesting."

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