England’s Andrew Marshall barely took his foot off the pedal as he returned another bogey-free round to take a two-shot lead after the second and penultimate round the MENA Golf Tour’s Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open at Al Badia Golf Club on Tuesday.
Playing solid from tee to green, European Tour veteran backed up his opening 68 with a 67 to reach nine for the tournament, taking a big stride towards clinching his second title in his debut season on the MENA Golf Tour.
In-form Rayhan Thomas, who won the Dubai Creek Open last week, kept himself firmly in the frame for back-to- back titles, returning an impressive 68 to occupy second on seven under, one ahead of defending champion Per Barth.
Barth matched the day’s low score, a 67, to haul himself back into contention, going into the final round as a three-man group which included Morocco’s Younes El Hassani, Hamza Amin of Pakistan and England’s Joshua White shared fourth on five under.
England’s Andrew Marshall on track for a second success in his maiden MENA Tour season. (Photo – Thanks to MENA Tour)
White, who flew into Dubai straight from Ireland after competing in a Challenge Tour event where he finished in a tie for 33, made the turn at two over, but kept it clean on the back nine, rolling in three birdies.
It was Marshall, who boasts a first, tied second and tied seventh in the only three events he has played on the MENA Golf Tour, held the centre-stage with another flawless round.
“I hit the ball straight and holed some nice putts. Overall, played some good golf,” said the 42-year- old Englishman, who survived some anxious moments on hole 6 when he drove into the water, but managed to save par, thanks to a long 25-foot putt.
“The thinking is the same going to the final round: focus on hitting fairways and greens as much possible and see what happens. The good thing is that I am feeling quite good about my golf,” said the Englishman, a two-time winner on the PGA EuroPro Tour.
India’s Thomas could have joined Marshall atop the leaderboard, but double-bogeyed the 17th after driving into the water. Barring that blemish he played really well again.
“I am looking forward to the final round card. “I feel no pressure and will try to focus on shot by shot,” said the 16-year- old Dubai-based prodigy, who leads the amateur division by miles.
Barth sounded equally pleased with his game. “I had a very good round. I struggled a bit during the first round because of the humidity, but today conditions were a lot better and that helped,” said the 30-year- old Swede.
“I finished the (second) round quite well, making four birdies in the last eight holes. I feel like I am in good position (to force a win), but you never know what
tomorrow holds. Guys like Rayhan are doing well, so it will be a good test of golf. Let’s see what happens.”
Elsewhere, overnight leader Fredrik Lindblom of Sweden carded a 73 to slip into a tie for seventh on four under while the English duo of Zane Scotland and Danny Poulter shared 35th on four over par.
The cut was made at five-over 149 with 45 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to the final round.
