Lee Westwood & Anton Haig share lead - Commercialbank Qatar Masters 2008

Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Marcel Siem, Britain's Paul Broadhurst, and Swedish trio Henrik Stenson, a former winner here, Alexander Noren and Johan Edfors were the others.

Edfors came up with a strong finish with an eagle on the 18th for a three-under par finish.

Scott, who had a chance to top the leaderboard, dropped a shot on the par-4 14th and missed a birdie chance on the 18th.

Westwood continued his recent hot streak with five birdies. In a bogey-free round, which the Englishman began from the 10th hole, he birdied the 15th, 18th, first, seventh and ninth.

The great start kept the Englishman's momentum going and he sounded confident of a good finish on Sunday.

"I played very well today," said Westwood. "I started off a little iffy, missed a few greens but got it together. The birdie on the 15th set the tone for the rest of my game.

"I missed a 2-1/2 foot putt on 16 for a birdie but afterwards I really got it going.

"All in all, it was a pretty solid day's work. I was quite pleased and I hope I can maintain this form till Sunday."

Haig, the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic winner, had six birdies with just one bogey on the par-5 ninth.

He has been in poor form receently but is now working with a new coach, South African Jamie Gough, who has helped him a lot.

"I have been struggling with my game. The game of golf is all about confidence -- 90 percent in the head. That's what I was told and I agree with that," he said.

"It's a tough struggle out there, especially with the conditions like they are, windy, and there are a lot of good players out there.

"I played really well today and am slowly feeling that I can compete with the big guys again."

U.S. Ryder Cup player Scott Verplank struggled to come to terms with the conditions as he fired a six-over 78, with five bogeys, a double bogey and just one birdie.