Aberdonian setting cracking pace in MENA Tour event

Clarke Lutton clickety-clicks to go four shots 

clear in Dubai's Golf Citizen Classic

DUBAI— Aberdeen-born tour pro Clarke Lutton enjoyed another great day at work, firing a sizzling six-under 66 for an 11-under-par tally of 133 and a four-stroke lead with one round to go in the MENA Tour's Golf Citizen Classic at Els Golf Club, Dubai today.

One shot in front overnight, Lutton reeled off seven birdies, including three in a row from the 16^th, against a lone bogey to reach 11-under for the tournament, a good four shots ahead of England’s Stuart Archibald and Trevor Marshall of New Zealand.

England’s Zane Scotland, a nine-time winner on the tour, shot a tidy 68 to join Germany’s Aaron Leitmannstetter for a share of fourth on five under

Lutton started strongly with a birdie on the first and never took his foot off the pedal all day for his lowest score on the MENA Tour.

“I was pretty relaxed out there and hit a lot of good shots and made lots of good putts,” said the Birmingham University PGA graduate.
“You never know what tomorrow holds, but I feel like I’m in great position.”

"I’ll just go out and try to play the same way as I played in the first two rounds and see what the outcome is," added Lutton, who considers The Els Club as his home course.

England’s Archibald was equally pleased with his efforts that matched the day’s best score of a 66. “I hit my approach shots a lot closer (to the pin), giving myself enough realistic birdie chances. I may have left some shots out there, but overall I putted well,” said the Englishman who opened with a 71 on Monday.

“The course is playing well, maybe a little bit longer than it did during the DUBAi Open last December. It’s a bit on the softer side which means you still have a chance to hit the greens if you missed the fairways,” said the 31-year-old from Hampshire.

Playing a consistent tee-to-green game, New Zealand’s Marshall also vaulted up the leaderboard with a bogey-free 67. The talented UAE-based golfer made the turn at two-under and picked up another three shots on the back nine to put himself in contention for his maiden title. 

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The cut was made at four over 148 with 43 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to the final round.

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