Howell & Ramsey ahead at end of day two

David Howell of England and Jean-Francois Remesy of France shared the lead at the end of play Friday, the second day of the $1.5 million Qatar Masters.

Only five players from 148 managed to complete the second round in fading light after finishing the first earlier Friday at the Doha Golf Club.

Play on Thursday was abandoned due to sandstorms and heavy winds after the early group reached the 13th hole.

Howell led the first round after a 6-under-par 66 with seven birdies. In the second round, he shot even par to take the clubhouse lead at 138.

Remesy tied him with six holes left to play in the second round. The Frenchman had a first round of 70 and was 4-under in the second after 12 holes.

"I am looking forward to a top finish at worst and maybe a top five or top three," Remesy said. "To win you have to believe in yourself and you only need to look at what Robert-Jan Derksen did last week (won the Dubai Desert Classic) to see what belief can do."

Paul McGinley of Ireland, who completed 13 holes in the second round, and Gregory Havret of France, who completed 10, are tied for third.

Howell started off on a confident note, sinking birdies on Nos. 1 and 4. On the back nine, he was even better, finishing his round with birdies on the last three holes.

"I missed the cut last week in Dubai, which was disappointing as a former winner of the Dubai Desert Classic," Howell said. "It was a much better day today. I played well and holed a few good putts."

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, 2-under after the first round, was 1-over after 14 holes in the second.

Ian Woosnam of Wales shot 1-over in the first round and will play his second round only on Saturday.

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