White consolidates lead as Rhazali joint third in Mena Golf Tour Ghala Valley Open
Joshua White strung together another solid round to maintain his advantage during the second and penultimate round of the MENA Golf Tour’s Ghala Valley Open Oman on Tuesday.
Two clear overnight, the 22-year-old Englishman followed his opening seven-under 65 with a 69 to reach 10 under at the picturesque Ghala Valley course at the foot of the Hajar Mountain range, a good four shots clear of Mexico’s Roberto Rodriguez Cacho, who returned a 71.
Morocco’s Ahmed-Reda Rhazali carded a second-round 70 to occupy joint third on a five-under 139 along with Monaco’s Sandro Piaget, who shot a bogey-free 66, the best score of the day.
England’s Daniel Wardrop, riding on a second-round 67, joined Morocco’s Faycal Serghini and the Pakistani duo of Shafiq Masih and Hamza Amin in a tie for fifth on a four-under 140.
Michael Harradine added a level-par 72 to his first round 69 to dominate the amateur division on a three-under 141, a good four shots ahead of England’s Ross Hopwood.
It was red-hot White who consolidated his position at the top of the leaderboard with a matured performance.
“I didn’t start all that well, but picked up the momentum as the round wore on. Hit most of the fairways and greens and when you do that you can expect a good score. Overall, it was another solid day,” said White who mixed five birdies with two bogeys.
“You never know what tomorrow brings, but it will be another round of golf for me,” added the 22-year-old from London.
Mexican Rodriguez Cacho believes he needs to make some early birdies to put some pressure on a rampaging White. “A good, solid start is very important tomorrow. The course is playing nicely, but there is hardly any room for error. You just can’t afford to miss fairways off the tee.
“I made a couple of bad mistakes today and ended up with bogeys, but played solid most of the day and held some clutch putts,” said the 24-year-old who turned pro last year.
Morocco’s Rhazali recovered well after making the turn at two-over, reeling off four birdies to steady the round while his compatriot Serghini felt he created many scoring opportunities, but putting let him down. “I just couldn’t putt despite hitting the greens in regulation,” said the 38-year-old Moroccan who played the front nine at two-under.
Omani ace amateur Azaan Al Rumhy made a 78 for a 36-hole total of 11-over 155 while Morocco’s Younes El Hassani slipped to a tied 41st after a carding 78 in second round. The cut was made at six-over 150 with 46 professionals and 11 amateurs making it to the final round.
Leading scores after second round (par-72):
Professionals:
134 – Joshua White (England) 65 69
138 – Roberto Rodriguez Cacho (Mexico) 67 71
139 – Ahmed-Reda Rhazali (Morocco) 69 70, Sandro Piaget (Monaco) 73 66
140 – Daniel Wardrop (England) 73 67, Shafiq Masih (Pakistan) 71 69, Hamza Amin (Pakistan) 69 71, Faycal Serghini (Morocco) 68 72
141 – James Housby (England) 72 69, Ian Keenan (England) 71 70
142 – Yasin Ali (England) 70 72, Clarke Lutton (Scotland) 72 70, Nicholas Mullhaupt (Switzerland) 68 74
143 – Sergio Gutierrez Sánchez (Spain) 71 72, MG Keyser (South Africa) 70 73, Blair Wilson (New Zealand) 69 74, Jack Harrison (England) 71 72, Bernhard Neumann (Germany) 74 69, Nicolas Meitinger (Germany) 71 72
Amateurs:
141 – Michael Harradine (Switzerland) 69 72
145 – Ross Hopwood (England) 75 70
