SOUTHAMPTON golfer Richard Bland continued his solid start to the European Tour season as the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters headed for an exciting finish this morning.

Bland, back in action after a spell out injured, shot two closing rounds of 71 in his second tournament of the year to add to excellent opening rounds of 69 and 70 and looked to be heading for a tied 33rd finish, earning about 13,000 Euros.

Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia was out to go one better than last year.

Garcia finished joint second at Doha Golf Club 12 months ago, the Spaniard losing out to England's Chris Wood by a single shot after Wood eagled the 72nd hole.

But the 33-year-old had the chance to make amends as he led over this morning's closing stages.

Overnight joint leaders Steve Webster and Rafael Cabrera-Bello slipped down the leaderboard.