England’s affable Ross McGowan scorched the back nine en route to a second round 66 to take the outright lead going into the final round of the ASCORP GOLF CITIZEN Abu Dhabi Open at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on Tuesday.
Starting the day three shots off the pace and in solo second at four-under, the Englishman made the turn in level par 36, but came roaring home in 30 shots, mixing five birdies and an eagle with a bogey to move to 10-under, two ahead of countryman and overnight leader Zane Scotland, who returned a 71.
The winner of the Dubai Creek Open, Luke Joy of England, is in third place on 7-under after carding a 67 while Morocco’s Younes El Hassani shares fourth a further shot back along with the South African duo of Tyler Hogarty and Conway Kunneke and Roberto Rodriguez Cacho of Mexico.
Ominously, McGowan believed he could have done better had he not left a couple of shots out there. “I didn’t play that well on the front nine and made some silly mistakes. Just two birdies and two bogeys weren’t good,” said McGowan, the winner of the European Tour’s Madrid Masters in 2009.
England’s Ross McGowan in sizzling form at Saadiyat Beach.
“Things were much nicer on back nine which I played six under. I should have picked up at least two more shots, but three-putted the 12th and found water on the 15th. I am playing well but not as well as I would have liked. It is still work in progress,” said McGowan, who won the 2012 edition of this event by an impressive six shots.
“You never know what tomorrow holds, but I guess I’m in a good position. I will try to play my own game and see what happens,” said McGowan who eagled the par-5, 11th after smashing a hybrid from 250 yards to 30 feet before holing the ensuing tricky putt.
El Hassani continued to call the shots in the MENA Division for the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation with another consistent performance.
“I putted really well and that was the key. Friendly pin positions today made life easier and the course is in superb condition,” said El Hassani. “I think the Moroccan players are knocking on the door and it’s just a matter of time before one of us goes the full distance,” said the experienced Moroccan.
Elsewhere, defending champion Stephen Dodd of Wales carded a level-par 72 for a share of the 40th while British and Austrian PGA champion Chris McDonnell of England moved into a tie for 13th.
The cut was made at four-over 148 with 43 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to the final round.
Leading scores after round two (par 72):
134 – Ross McGowan (England) 68 66
136 – Zane Scotland (England) 65 71
137 – Luke Joy (England) 70 67
138 – Younes El Hassani (Morocco) 70 68, Tyler Hogarty (South Africa) 71 67, Roberto Rodriguez Cacho (Mexico) 69 69, Conway Kunneke (South Africa) 73 65
139 – Peter Stojanovski (Macedonia) 72 67
140 – Danie Pretorius (South Africa) 73 67
141 – Carlos Balmaseda (Spain) 70 71, Chris Rodgers (England) 73 68, Stuart Archibald (England) 70 71
142 – Simon Dunn (Scotland) 73 69, Tom Buchanan (Scotland) 71 71, Toni Ferrer (Spain) 72 70, Joe Heraty (England) 70 72, Chris McDonnell (England) 74 68.
146 – Elliott Oxlade (England) 76 70, Daniel Kay (Scotland) 76 70, Craig Vance (England)
147 – James Allan (England) 76 71
