Al Zayed takes over as solo leader

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Ahmed Mohamed A l Zayed took over as solo leader after the second day of play in the fourth Annual Bahrain Amateur Open golf championship, being held at The Royal Golf Club.

Al Zayed played an even-par 72 in round two to add to his one-under 71 over the opening 18 holes.

He registered two birdies over the front nine and then started the back with his third birdie on the day.

But he then bogeyed three of the last four holes, missing out on an even better score.

The Bahrain Golf Club player now has a one-under-par gross total of 143 heading into today’s final day of play.

He enjoys a two-stroke lead over his closest challenger, and is now hoping to secure the tournament title for the second time in its history.

Saleh Al Kaabi, representing Doha Golf Club, is that man.

He dropped to second place after carding a three-over 75 yesterday.

Al Kaabi headed into yesterday’s second round as joint-leader along with defending champion Khalifa Mohamed Al Merisi of Bahrain Golf Club, but the pair had less fortunate performances, allowing Al Zayed to rise to the top of the leaderboard.

Al Kaabi now boasts a two-day total of one-over-par 145, while Al Merisi, who has five shots over par with a 77 yesterday, went to a three-over-par gross of 147 for third place.

There were no ties amongst the top eight. In fourth was Nasser Yacoob Saleh, who played a 74 yesterday to go four-over-par 148 for two days.

Fahad Abdulla Al Hakam was fifth with a six-over 150 total from a second round of 75, while James Lanceley came sixth a further shot back after rebounding from an 80 on day one to play the only below-par score of day two of 71.

He was seven-over 151 for two days.

Ronan Armstrong and Nasser Saad Al Mahasni were seventh and eighth respectively.

Armstrong had a day two score of 79 to go eight-over-par 152 after round two, while Al Mahasni had an 80 for a nine-over 153.

Following yesterday’s play, the field was narrowed down to just 54 players for today’s third and final round.

The last two to make the cut were Mohamed Ali Al Kowari of Bahrain Golf Club and Young Joo of Vision Hills Country Club.

The first group will tee off this morning at 8am. Play will be followed by a prize-giving ceremony, scheduled for around 3pm. Al Merisi won last year’s event after completing the 54 holes seven shots clear of his closest challenger.

Al Merisi became the third different player to win the competition in each of its three years.

The first edition in 2019 was claimed by Ali Al Kawari, while Al Zayed won the second tournament in 2020.