Gary King lived-up to his namesake breaking free from a first round three-way tie to reign heading into the final round of the Ascorp Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open at Saadiyat Beach and Golf Club on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Englishman backed up his opening five-under 67 with a 68 to reach 10 under, three ahead of his compatriots James Allan, who carded a bogey-free 66, the day’s best round, and Jake Shepherd, the winner of last week’s Dubai Creek Open.
Scotland’s Daniel Kay, who returned a 70, occupied the solo fourth a further shot adrift as overnight pacesetters Joshua White of England and Morocco’s Faycal Serghini both slipped down the leaderboard following over par rounds.
White, the 2014 MENA champion, moved into a tie for the 11th after a 75 while Serghini settled for tied fifth following a 73. The experienced Moroccan, however, leads the MENA Division for the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award by one shot over his compatriot Ahmed Marjane, who a shot a brilliant 67.
England-born Gary King rules the fairways in Abu Dhabi.
However the day belonged to King, who is playing his fourth event on the MENA Golf Tour since making his debut at Rabat earlier this season.
The Englishman found his scoring touch after a slow start, playing the last eight holes at five under, highlighted by an eagle on the par-five, 11th.
“I am really pleased with efforts. Every part of my game is falling into place which is great. I didn’t have best of the starts as I double-bogeyed the par-three, third after going into a greenside bunker, but played great thereafter,” said King, a two-time winner on the Euro Pro Tour this season.
“The highlight of my round was certainly that eagle on the 11th when I hit my five-wood from 260 yards to within two feet of the cup and then picked three shots in three holes.
“You never know what tomorrow holds, but I feel like I’m in great position and looking forward it. I have been into this position a couple of times this season and know what it takes to get the job done,” said the 25-year-old from Surrey, who turned pro seven years back.
Young Allan attributed his bogey-free round to a fine all-round display. “I hit the ball really well off the tee and created many scoring opportunities. More importantly, I made them count, which wasn’t case in the first round. Really, very pleased with my efforts,” he said.
India’s Rayhan Thomas, who nearly won the Dubai Creek Open last week before bowing out in a three-way playoff, continued his good run of form, moving to second place behind England’s Allan on three-under.
Leading second round results (par 72):
– 9 Gary King (England) 67 68
-6 James Allan (England-AM) 72 66, Jake Shepherd (England) 68 70
-5 Daniel Kay (Scotland) 69 70
– 4 Thriston Arthur Lawrence (South Africa) 69 71, Faycal Serghini (Morocco) 67
– 3 Manish Goel (India) 72 69, Rayhan Thomas (India-AM) 72 69, Tyler Hogarty
(South Africa) 71 70, Ahmed Marjane (Morocco) 74 67.
– 2 Max Williams (England) 74 68, Tom Boys (England) 68 74, Joshua White
(England) 67 75, Diego Suazo (Spain) 70 72, Jacques Paul Kruyswijk 71 71
