Accurate off the tee and clinical with putter, Ahmed Marjan shot a career-best seven-under 65 to join Fernand Osther atop the leaderboard going into the final round of the Mena Golf Tour’s Ghala Open on Tuesday.
The Moroccan reeled off eight birdies against a lone bogey while Netherlands’ Osther picked up five shots on the back nine after making the turn at two over en route to a 69.
On nine under, the duo edged two shots clear of Younes El Hassani of Morocco and three of a four-man group that included Scotland’s Clarke Lutton, Craig Hinton of England, Fredrik From of Sweden and South Africa’s Luke Trocado.
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It was Marjan though who lit up the proceedings with a sparkling round that also set a new course record at Ghala Golf Club in Muscat.
“I didn’t miss anything out there. Everything was rock solid and everything was good. I drove the ball well, my iron play was spot on and I holed some solid putts,” said Marjan, who created history in 2014, becoming the first golfer from the Mena region to win a tour event, a feat he achieved at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
“The good thing is that I have regained confidence in my driver which wasn’t the case recently. So, very pleased to get some momentum going this week.
“Going forward the plan is to keep things simple and see where that leave me come Wednesday.”
Starting the day two in front, Osther responded to an early bogey with a birdie on the second, but dropped further shots on fourth and eighth to turn in 38. The back nine was vintage Osther, who kept it clean, making five birdies to firmly stay in contention for a first title on the Mena Tour.
Morocco’s El Hassani also kept himself in the frame, going bogey-free in his five-under 67. “I am feeling good about my game. Struck the ball really well and created several scoring opportunities with my wedges.
“I am not thinking too much about the final round. Will try and focus on each shot as it comes and see what happens,” said El Hassani, who is seeking first win on the Mena Tour.
The English duo of Benjamin David and Todd Clements carded matching 69s to share the lead in the amateur division on four under, one ahead of Chile’s Matias Calderon who returned a second-round 73.
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