Paul Doherty moves up to MENA Tour 5th

By VIREN VARMA

HUA HIN (Thailand) — Antonio Costa credited his hot putter as he turned the scenic Banyan course lay-out into his own personal playground, taking a massive six-shot lead into the final round of the MahaSamutr Masters

The 27-year-old Chilean backed up his opening 66 with another sparking 67 on Tuesday to reach 11-under for the tournament, leaving big names in the field trailing in his wake. 

Starting the day one shot in front, Costa once again delivered a fine exhibition of iron play and putting, rolling in six birdies against a lone bogey – his first in 36 holes – to move closer to his first win on the MENA Golf Tour he joined this season through the qualifying school.

Wolmer Murillo, the other Latin American in the field, carded a second-round 69 to join India’s Rayhan Thomas, who returned a level-par 72, and Sweden’s Fredrik Lindblom (70) for a share of second on five-under, one clear of Scotland’s Paul Doherty.

The English trio of Stuart Archibald, Miles Tunnicliff and Jordan Garnish were a further shot back at three-under as their compatriot Zane Scotland, an 11-time winner on the MENA Golf Tour, finished the day tied for 10th. 

“Again, I hit the ball very well and didn’t miss many shots out there. I think I missed just four greens, but got up and down on each occasion, which kind of kept the momentum going,” said the in-form Costa. 

“I putted really well, probably the best I've done in a long time. I feel like I’m in good position (to force a win), but I don't want to get ahead of myself,” said Costa, who boasts three wins — all in Chile — since turning professional in 2012.

“Golf is a mental game, everyone knows that. The thinking is to stay in the present, play one shot at a time and focus on the task at hand. Will see where things stand coming down the final stretch on the final day,” said the Chilean.

India’s Thomas, who leads the amateur division by a staggering 11 shots over Scotland’s Ben Alexander, eagled the third and picked up two more shots before making the turn at four-under.

A couple of wayward drives which resulted in double bogeys at No.14 and 18 halted his march as the 16-year-old Dubai-based prodigy, who is supported by the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, had to settle for a level-par round.

Venezuela’s Murillo, who is seeking back-to-back wins on the MENA Golf Tour, rebounded from a rocky double-bogey-bogey start, to sign off the second round with a flourish, playing his 16 holes in six under, highlighted by three birdies in a row from the 15th.

The half-way cut was made at seven-over par with 55 players, including five amateurs, making it to the final round.
SCOTSWATCH: Paul Doherty moved up to fifth place on 140 - seven shots behind leader Antonio Costa - with a pair of 70s which included two eagle 3s, at the eighth and 12th. He also had birdies at the first and 10th.
Aberdeen's Clarke Lutton and Dunbar's Danny Kay are tied 20th on 146, Lutton with 74-72, Kay with 71-75.
Lee Harper is tied 34th with 77-72 for 149, one shot ahead of Renaissance Club amateur Ben Alexander who has scored 73-77 for a share of 40th place

 SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
  par 144 (2x72)
133 A Costa (Chile) 66 67
139 R Thomas (India) (am) 67 72 F Lindblom (Swe) 659 70, W Murillo (Venezuela) 70 69.

SCOTS' SCORES
140 P Doherty 70 70 (5th)
146 C Lutton 74 72, D Kay 71 75 (T20)
149 L Harper 77 72 (T34)
150 B Alexander (am) 73 77 (T40)



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