Ali al-Shahrani had an eventful back nine as the Qatari golfer grabbed the Qatar Open Amateur Championship lead with an overall card of one-over after the second round on Friday.
The 27-year-old Qatari, who had two birdies on the front nine to go with two bogeys, fired three birdies in the last five holes before closing out his round with a double bogey on the 18th to reach one-under for the day in windy conditions at the Doha Golf Club.
Al-Shahrani, who started the day on the second spot behind South African Ruan Jordaan, showed promise in the tournament and was pleased with his performance.
“Considering the conditions, I think I played well and it was a good day for me. Yesterday, I shot 2-over and today I shot one-under and now I am leading with one-over. Also, today it was very windy, but I think I have managed well today and hopefully tomorrow I will do better to win the tournament,” al-Shahrani said.
Talking about his wild card for Qatar Masters, he said, “Every year Qatar Masters has two spot for Qatar national team. This year I have been selected alongside Jaham Jassim al-Kuwari for the event. I hope I will represent Qatar in a good way.”
Al-Shahrani has a six-shot lead over his compatriot and friend Saleh Ali al-Kaabi, who is in second spot.
The three-day championship is being played on individual strokeplay format and the field will be reduced to just 60 players for final day’s play.
Overnight leader Jordaan was disappointed with his performance as he was in third place, two strokes behind al-Kaabi.
“Conditions were very tough today. I had the luck of the draw yesterday, so I had an early tee off and the wind was not so strong when I was on the golf course yesterday,” said Jordaan.
“I think I am no longer in contention for the winners spot after my round two performance, but I will try to be in the race for qualification for the Qatar Masters,” said the South African, who is based in Qatar and is a regular at the Doha Golf Club.
Tom Sweigart is in the fourth spot followed by another Qatari, Jaham al-Kuwari.
The winner of the championship, which is being organised by Qatar Golf Association in association with Qatar Olympic Committee, will qualify for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters golf championship, a European Tour event which will be held from March 11-14 at the Education City Golf Club.
LEADING ROUND II SCORES
145: Ali al-Shahrani (74-71)
151: Saleh al-Kaabi (79-72)
153: Ruan Jordaan (73-80)
155: Tom Sweigart (75-80)
157: Mike Elliott (75-82)
158: Jaham al-Kuwari (83-75), Pratyush Jain (77-81)
159: Sam Wall (79-80)
160: Jordan Massey (79-81), Iain Stewart (77-83)
The 27-year-old Qatari, who had two birdies on the front nine to go with two bogeys, fired three birdies in the last five holes before closing out his round with a double bogey on the 18th to reach one-under for the day in windy conditions at the Doha Golf Club.
Al-Shahrani, who started the day on the second spot behind South African Ruan Jordaan, showed promise in the tournament and was pleased with his performance.
“Considering the conditions, I think I played well and it was a good day for me. Yesterday, I shot 2-over and today I shot one-under and now I am leading with one-over. Also, today it was very windy, but I think I have managed well today and hopefully tomorrow I will do better to win the tournament,” al-Shahrani said.
Talking about his wild card for Qatar Masters, he said, “Every year Qatar Masters has two spot for Qatar national team. This year I have been selected alongside Jaham Jassim al-Kuwari for the event. I hope I will represent Qatar in a good way.”
Al-Shahrani has a six-shot lead over his compatriot and friend Saleh Ali al-Kaabi, who is in second spot.
The three-day championship is being played on individual strokeplay format and the field will be reduced to just 60 players for final day’s play.
Overnight leader Jordaan was disappointed with his performance as he was in third place, two strokes behind al-Kaabi.
“Conditions were very tough today. I had the luck of the draw yesterday, so I had an early tee off and the wind was not so strong when I was on the golf course yesterday,” said Jordaan.
“I think I am no longer in contention for the winners spot after my round two performance, but I will try to be in the race for qualification for the Qatar Masters,” said the South African, who is based in Qatar and is a regular at the Doha Golf Club.
Tom Sweigart is in the fourth spot followed by another Qatari, Jaham al-Kuwari.
The winner of the championship, which is being organised by Qatar Golf Association in association with Qatar Olympic Committee, will qualify for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters golf championship, a European Tour event which will be held from March 11-14 at the Education City Golf Club.
LEADING ROUND II SCORES
145: Ali al-Shahrani (74-71)
151: Saleh al-Kaabi (79-72)
153: Ruan Jordaan (73-80)
155: Tom Sweigart (75-80)
157: Mike Elliott (75-82)
158: Jaham al-Kuwari (83-75), Pratyush Jain (77-81)
159: Sam Wall (79-80)
160: Jordan Massey (79-81), Iain Stewart (77-83)
