Bogey-free Paul Doherty in the Kuwait mix

By VIREN VARMA

KUWAIT CITY, — Stuart Archibald fired a bogey-free, four-under 66 to haul himself into contention for a maiden title on the MENA Golf Tour, going into Wednesday's final round of the Sahara Kuwait Championship.

The 32-year-old Englishman, starting the day two off the pace, picked two shots in each half to reach 10 under for the tournament, a good two shots clear of overnight leader Joe Heraty and Scotland’s Paul Doherty, pictured right.

Germany’s Aaron Leitmannstetter, who returned a flawless 64, the day’s low score, joined 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. A birdie of the sixth, however, got me going in the right mindset. Thereafter, I played really well,” said Archibald, who has been playing on the MENA Golf Tour since 2013.

“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,” said the Hampshire native.

Overnight leader Heraty, who shot a level-par 70, stayed 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. “It was quite windy and the greens were a bit faster.

“Didn’t hole that many putts, but I am still very happy to be in this position,” said the Englishman, whose opening 62 on Monday equalled the lowest score ever shot on the MENA Golf Tour, matching that of his compatriot Joshua White in the 2014 Golf Citizen Masters in Al Ain.

Doherty, a former Scottish U18 boys' match-play championship kept it clean in the second round, putting himself in prime position for a second MENA Golf Tour tile.

“Played quite nicely. Going bogey-free always makes you feel good about what's to come," said Doherty,

“Going forward, the thinking is to stick to the same game plan and see what happens. But I do think I am in a good position entering the final round,” said the Dubai-based Scot, who won the Royal D’Anfa Open in Morocco last year.
 There are two Scots in the top 10 with 18 holes to play. The other is Jack McDonald (pictured right) from Ayrshire.  Jack turned pro last March.

He is T7 on 134 (65-69) and will be rueing late bogeys at the 16th and 17th which gives him that little bit more to do if he is to come with a last-day surge.

The amateur division is led by Brazil’s Tiago Lobo and Todd Clements of England.

Lobo, a Dubai-based MENA Golf Tour regular, followed his opening 68 with a 67 while Clements mixed five birdies with two bogeys en route to 67 to share 10th overall on five under.

The cut was made at three over 143 with 45 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to Wednesday’s final round.

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 140 (2x70)
130 Stuart Archibald (Eng) 64 66
132 Paul Doherty (Sco) 67 65, Joe Heraty (Eng) 62 70#

SELECTED SCORES
134 Jack McDonald (Sco) 65 69 (T7)
136 Zane Scotland (Eng) 67 69 (T17)