Qatar’s Ali Al Shahrani in action during the second round of 37th Qatar Open Golf Amateur Championship yesterday.
Doha: England’s Sam Epstein shot a fabulous one-under-par 71 on challenging Doha Golf Club (DGC) to storm into the share of lead in second round of 37th Qatar Open Golf Amateur Championship, yesterday.
Epstein, who carded 75 in the opening round on Thursday, moved to an aggregate of two-over-par 146 to end the penultimate day on top with overnight leader Reece Goodyear, who fired 74 yesterday.
Welshman James Nash was also impressive yesterday as he scored 73 to end on second place, a stroke behind the joint leaders.
Joint leader Reece Goodyear of England in action at Doha Golf Club yesterday.
After an opening round of 77, Qatar’s Ali Al Shahrani, winner of the 2021 edition, also made a brilliant comeback with a card of 71 to leapfrog to joint third place with Wales’ Joe Jones as both returned with a total of 148 ahead of the final round today.
Another Qatari golfer Saleh Al Kaabi also excelled in the second round yesterday scoring a par 72 to hold joint fourth place with DGC’s Calum Fitzgerald, with both aggregating 149.
Al Shahrani was targeting his second Qatar Open title after an excellent round, saying Al Kaabi can also win the title.
"We have a big chance of winning the title as we are fourth and fifth before the final round. Hopefully one of us will end as the winner," he said yesterday.
"I shot one under and I am looking forward to play well in the final round and win the tournament. It was a bit of windy but the weather was fine in the afternoon, It would be better to play in the morning," he added.
Qatar's Saleh Al Kaabi in action.
South-Korea born Russian Daniil Sokolov, 12, who started as joint second with an overnight score of 73, slipped after a card of 77 with Yaseen Le Falher joining the Doha resident yesterday after scoring a brilliant 71 in the second round.
The duo is followed by Sultan Abdullah Al Hakam, Omar Khalid Hussain and Greg McClure, who will start the final round five strokes behind the leaders.
Today’s winner will confirm a place in the prestigious Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2023 that will be played from October 26 to 29. The top 10 golfers will also receive special prizes.
Leading Scores
146 - Sam Epstein, Reece Goodyear
147 - James Nash
148 - Ali Al Shahrani, Joe Jones
149 - Saleh Ali Musbah Al Kaabi, Calum Fitzgerald
150 - Yaseen Le Falher, Daniil Sokolov
151 - Sultan Abdullah Al Hakam, Omar Khalid Hussain, Greg McClure
152 - Tej Gangavarapu
154 - Isa Ebrahim Saad, Jake Wiltshire
155 - Olivier van Lelvyeld, Dominic McGlinchey, Lorenzo Gobet
156 - Abdulrahman Al Shahrani
