Paul Doherty tied sixth in Mena Tour

Championship at Muscat, Oman

MUSCAT, Oman — Max Williams put himself within striking distance of ensuring a perfect birthday present when he shot back-to-back 68s today to open up a one-shot lead going into final round of the MENA Tour Championship at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club.

England’s Williams, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Tuesday, rattled off five birdies against a lone bogey to reach eight-under for the tournament as the chasing pack included his compatriots Daniel Owen and Joe Heraty and South Africa’s Tyler Hogarty a further shot adrift.

Jordan Garnish, also of England, was sitting solo fifth on six under as Morocco’s Faycal Serghini moved in a two-way tie for sixth on five under along with Paul Doherty of Scotland.

“I am hitting the ball well, probably the best I have struck for a long time. Feeling quite comfortable out there on the course which in great condition. I would say everything is falling into place,” said Williams, who is seeking his first win on the MENA Golf Tour.

“Going into the final day with a lead is a new situation for me. I really don’t what to expect. Will see things unfold. All I know the sun still will come out tomorrow,” said the Epsom native.

A familiar face on the tour, Hogarty rattled off six birdies against a lone bogey while Heraty spiced up his second round with four birdies, one eagle and two bogeys as the duo reached seven-under for the tournament.

“I was a bit erratic off the tee, but my approaches were good and I managed to hole some good putts,” said Hogarty, who hit his nine-iron approach from 171 yards on the 18th to within three feet for a birdie to end the round on a high.

England’s Heraty, who won the Sahara Kuwait Championship two weeks ago, felt he played just solid golf. “I hit plenty of fairways and created good scoring opportunities. 

“My putting was okay, but I still holed some good putts,” said Heraty, whose second round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5, 13^th where he drilled a nine iron from 160 yards to within 10 feet.

India’s teenage Rayhan Thomas, holder of the Scottish U18 boys' open stroke-play championship,  carded a 69 to share the lead in the amateur division on four under with England’s Benjamin David, who returned a 70 for the second day in a row.

“I started off really well, making four birdies in a row, but three-putted three times on the back nine and that pretty much sums my up-and-down round,” said Thomas, a 16-year-old Dubai-based prodigy.

  Among the notables, England’s Zane Scotland carded a level-par 72 to move into a tie for 15th while the experienced Andrew Marshall slipped to tied 40th on two over after a second-round 76. 

MENA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club, Oman
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72) Players from England unless
stated otherwise
136 Max Williams 68 66
137 Daniel Owen 67 70,Tyler Hogarty (SAf) 70 67, Joe Heraty 69 68


SELECTED SCORES
139 Paul Doherty (Sco) 68 71 (T6)
140 Rayhan Thomas (India) (am) 71 69 (T8)
147 Clarke Lutton (Sco) 75 72 (T42)

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