Goosen had a slow start to his third round

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD
(GB&I unless stated):
-12 R Goosen (SA), R Green (Aus), N O'Hern (Aus)
-10 E Michaels (US), H Stenson (Swe)
-9 Paul Lawrie, S Kjeldsen (Den), P O'Malley (Aus)

South African Retief Goosen fired three birdies in the last four holes to rescue his third round and maintain a share of the lead at the Qatar Masters.

The South African was two over for the day after 14 holes but had an impressive finish to close on 12 under.

Richard Green, who co-led with Goosen after day two, was set to top the leaderboard but a double-bogey seven at the last left him sharing the lead.

Australia's Nick O'Hern made it a three-way tie thanks to a 69.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie remains in contention after a 71 put him on nine under while South African Ernie Els is lurking ominously a shot further back after a 68.

606 DEBATE: Will Goosen win in Qatar?

Goosen, the world number eight, could only manage one birdie on his outward nine and dropped a shot on the 9th.

Further bogeys on the 13th and 14th followed but three successive birdies from the 15th ensured he remains in the hunt.

Green, without a European Tour victory for almost a decade, carded four birdies and a bogey to take a two-stroke lead after 17 holes.

But it all went wrong at the last when the Australian struggled to get out of a group of rocks.

O'Hern made an indifferent start as birdies on the first and second were quickly wiped out by bogeys on the next two holes.

However, he carded three birdies coming home to join Goosen and Green.