Mena Tour News Information and Results

Scotland extends lead in Mena Golf Tour Dubai Creek Open

Zane Scotland jumped to a healthy three-shot lead, but the Englishman will have the likes of Stephen Dodd hot on his heels when the final round of the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Open, the opening event of the MENA Golf Tour, is played on Wednesday.

Playing a steady tee-to-green game in windy conditions, Scotland, who led by one shot overnight, signed off with a second-round 70 to go seven-under for the tournament, a good three shots of Dodd, Alex Christie (England) and Fredrik Quicker (Wales).

 

Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, matched the day’s best score of 68 to charge back into contention after opening with a tidy 70 on Monday.

He could pose a serious threat to Scotland if he manages to find the magic touch he showed in winning the Nissan Irish Open, the Volvo China Open and the Smurfit Kappa European Open some years back.

“He (Dodd) is an experienced player having won so many times on the European Tour, but if I continue to do what I am doing, I think I stand a good chance of winning the event,” said Scotland.

“From tee to green, I played as well as I did yesterday (Monday), but some good putts refused to go in. A three-shot lead looks good, but I have still a long way to go. Anything can happen.

“All I know is that I am playing well and I don’t think the wind will be a factor for me since I have enough experience of playing in breezy conditions,” said the 29-year-old Englishman.

Pakistan Mohammed Munir carded a second-round 69 to move to third place on 139, one shot ahead of a group headed by Wales Cennydd Mills and English amateur Max Williams.

Meanwhile, the cut was made at eight over par 150. Among those who missed the mark included UAE’ Ahmed Al Musharrekh, who has just turned professional.

“It wasn’t exactly the experience I wanted. The pressure to perform well was huge from different quarters and I simply couldn’t handle it. Though I performed better in the second round, but never felt comfortable with my swing,” who followed his first round 81 with a 75.

“You can say it was a great learning experience. Now I know what to expect when I compete in the second event on the MENA Golf Tour. I just can’t wait to get started,” said Al Musharrekh.

Saif Thabet, the other UAE national in the field, however, was pleased with his work despite missing the cut by 11 shots. “I don’t think I was under any pressure. It was fun playing against such a quality field.

“I am retuning home richer in experience which I hope will stand me in good stead when I represent the UAE in future tournaments,” said Thabet, who gave up a flourishing equestrian career with the UAE team in 2009 to concentrate his energies on golf, a game he first starting playing when he was just seven years old.
 
Leading scores after second round:

135 – Zane  Scotland (England) 65    70
138 – Alex Christie (England)  68 70; Stephen Dodd (Wales) – 70 68; Fredrik Quicker (Sweden) 66 72
139 – Mohammad Munir (Pakistan) 70 69
140 – Cennydd Mills (Wales) 66 74, James Housby (England) 69 71, Max Williams [AM] 69 71; Ross McGowan  71 69; Duncan Stewart (Scotland) 70 70
141 – Aadil Jehangir (Pakistan) 71 71; Stefan Engell Andersen 71 71

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