Tommy Mou moves to within one shot of the lead after the second around of the MENA Golf Tour’s American Express Dirab Championship
The American professional followed his opening 3-under 69 with a brilliant 67 – the day’s best score — to reach eight-under 136, just one behind Scotland’s Duncan Stewart who maintained his overnight top position with little fluster, shooting a bogey-free 69.
Four strokes behind overnight, Fredrik Quicker signed off with a 68 to occupy solo third on a six-under 138, two ahead of England’s Zane Scotland and Michael Harradine, the Dubai-based Swiss national.
Mustapha El Maouas, a leading amateur from Morocco, continued to spearhead the region’s challenge, adding a 74 to his first round 71 to stay in contention for a top-15 finish along with his compatriot Younes El Hassani, who carded a 74 for a total of two-over par 146.
On a layout which requires precision and nerve, Mou strung together his round with maturity, mixing eight birdies with three bogeys to keep alive his chances of winning his title on the MENA Golf Tour.
The American admitted it was a great feeling to walk off the golf course and see his name on the leaderboard. “Everything fell in place. I played solid golf from start to finish and holing some early putts was the key,” he said.
Fresh off a runner-up finish in the European Challenge Tour’s Kazakhstan tournament, Stewart easily navigated through the second round with three birdies and no major trouble.
“My game is in great shape and the rhythm is there. You never know what will happen in golf, but I am feeling pretty relaxed going into the final.
“Playing in the final group has its own pressure and, hopefully, I will be able to handle it. All I need is to stay focused on my game,” said the Scot, who birdied the third, 13th and 15th.
Defending champion Shaiq Masih slipped to tied 11th on level par after shooting a 76. “I was hitting the ball well, but putting let me down. Whatever I did right was derailed once I got on the greens,” he said.
Among the notables, Matthew Swales of England matched the day’s best score shot by Mou to move to tied 15 on 145.
The cut was made at 11-over 155 with 41 professionals, including UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh, and 11 amateurs making it to the final round.
Leading scores after Round One (par-72):
Professionals:
135 – Duncan Stewart (Scotland) 66 69
136 – Tommy Mou (US) 69 67
138 – Fredrik Quicker (Sweden) 70 68
140 – Zane Scotland (England) 68 72
141 – 70 71William Harrold (England) 70 71
142 – Nicholas Mullhaupt (Switzerland) 71 71; Andrea Friis (Norway)
71 71; Tyler Hogarty (South Africa), 71 71; Greg Nicolson (Scotland), 68 74
Amateurs:
140 – Michael Harradine (Switzerland) 70 70
145 – Mustapha El Maouas (Morocco) 71 74
148 – Ahmed Marjan (Morocco) 73 75; Amine El Malki (Morocco) 73 75; Faisal Al Salhab (Saudi Arabia 75 73)
