Daniel Owen stayed in the Route 66 overtaking lane to muscle his way to a five shots lead on day two of the MENA Tours Ras Al Khaimah Classic at Tower Links Golf Club.
The Bahrain-based Englishman, and seeking a first taste of success on the Tour, rolled in six birdies, three in each half, to move to 12-under and well clear of a five-man group for second which included European Tour veteran Stephen Dodd, who carded a second straight five under 67.
Overnight joint leader Max Williams, along with fellow Englishmen Jordan Garnish and Jamie Elson and Australia’s Peter Stojanovski joined Dodd, a three-time winner on the MENA Tour, for a share of second.
Spain’s Francisco Perez and England’s Paul Dwyer, who were among a four-way tie for the lead overnight, left themselves with some work to do, though, after carding respective rounds of 73 and 72.
Daniel Owen storms five clear on the back of a second straight 66 at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
On a steamy Monday, it was Owen who took charge of the proceedings with a near-impeccable all-round game. “Played pretty solid and drove the ball very well,” the 27-year- old Englishman.
“I have been coming here since 2011 and know the course pretty well. It suits my eye. I did miss a couple of greens, but never really got into much trouble. I gave myself good opportunities and made a few putts.
“Obviously, it’s hard to ignore where I am, but at the same time the game plan doesn’t change. Will try and make some early birdies to kind of settle the nerves and, hopefully, get the job done this time around,” said Owen who boasts a string of top five finishes on the tour.
A three-time European Tour winner, Dood, who mixed six birdies with a lone bogey on the third in his second-round 67, could pose a significant threat to the leader if he manages to keep the momentum rolling all the way through.
The Welshman, who made his Senior Tour debut at the Senior Open Championship in July last year, won the 2016 Senior Italian Open, a feat which showed his hunger to scale the mountain is as keen as ever.
Elsewhere, England’s Lee Corfield, a four-time winner on the MENA Tour, moved into a tie for 10th on five under after a second round 71, one ahead of Craig Hinton, the winner of the 2016 MENA Tour Order of Merit title, as experienced Andrew Marshall settled for a tied 17th after a shooting a two-under 70.
England’s Todd Clements carded a 69 to top the amateur division on three under, a good four shots ahead of Switzerland’s Dubai-based Michael Harradine, who backed his opening 71 with a 74.
UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh returned a second-round 75 for tournament total of seven-over- par 151, missing the cut, which was made at two over, by five shots.
A total of 54 professionals and nine amateurs have made it to the final round.
