England’s Stuart Archibald took the lead heading into the final round of the Sahara Kuwait Championship after his bogey-free four-under 66 on Tuesday kept him on track for a first Mena Golf Tour title.
Archibald, 32, started the second round two shots back from first round leader Joe Heraty, but ended with a two-shot lead over his fellow Englishman and Scotland’s Paul Doherty.
Germany’s Aaron Leitmannstetter, who shot the day’s lowest round with a flawless 64, joins South Africa’s Luke Trocado and Fernand Osther of the Netherlands for a share of fourth a further shot adrift.
“I didn’t get off to best of starts, but managed to make a couple of good par saves,” said Archibald, who has competed on the Mena Tour since 2013. “A birdie on the sixth, however, got me going in the right mindset. Thereafter, I played really well.
Round 1: Kieswetter impresses on debut, Herati takes lead
“I have been in contention quite a few times and it will be nice to get the job done this time around. But we still have 18 more holes to play. Anything can happen.”
Overnight leader Heraty shot a level-par 70 to stay firmly in the frame for his first title on the tour.
“I played almost similar to the one I did in the first round, but conditions weren’t different today,” he said. “It was quite windy and the greens were a bit faster.
“I didn’t hole that many putts, but I am still very happy to be in this position.”
Elsewhere, former England cricketer Craig Kieswetter followed up his impressive opening round 68 with a second round 71 to sit second in the amateur ranks, two shots behind Brazil’s Tiago Lobo and Todd Clements of England.
The cut was made at three-over 143 with 45 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to Wednesday’s final round.
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