Five birdies on the front nine on Tuesday helped Craig Vance claim the solo lead heading into Wednesday’s final round of the Mena Golf Tour’s Dubai Creek Open.
Looking to become the first amateur to win a Mena event, the Englishman carded a second successive 68 to move to six-under overall, one stroke ahead of Pakistan’s Shafiq Masih and two ahead of compatriot Chris Cannon.
Snapping at the heels of the leaders is Tom Buchanan.
The Scotsman, who represents Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, shot a 67, the best score of the tournament, to charge into a six-way tie for fourth on two-under.
Starting at three under in a share of the lead with James Housby of England and New Zealand’s Trevor Marshall, Vance was quick out of the blocks, rattling off five birdies in a row from the third before adding another on the 13th after dropping a shot on the 10th.
A double-bogey on the closing hole, when his approach shot found water, prevented the talented amateur from widening the margin of his lead ahead of today’s final 18 holes.
“I think I played really well, even though I wasn’t driving the ball that well off the tee. Some nice iron shots and some good putts were the keys to my round,” said Vance, who is attached to Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah.
“The greens are in immaculate condition and it’s fun playing on this course. I think I am in a good position, but we’ve still got 18 holes to go. There is a lot of golf left and anything can happen.”
Masih had his chances to take the outright lead, but a lost ball on the sixth that resulted in a double-bogey proved costly.
“I hooked my drive and the ball just disappeared in a bush on the left,” said Masih, who returned a three-under 68, which featured five birdies.
“Barring this blemish, I think I played solid golf. There are plenty of scoring opportunities out there, but you have to putt well as some of the greens are quite tricky.
“I am hitting the ball very well and above all my confidence is high.
“If things go according to plan, I think I stand a good chance of winning the title.” Peter Badawy of Lebanon followed his opening 69 with a level-par 71 to maintain his lead in the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award, on two under 140, four shots ahead of Morocco’s Amine Joudar, who settled for a second-round 75.
UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh joined Morocco’s Younes El Hassani on three-over 145 after a second round 73.
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