Doha- England’s Sam Epstein joined compatriot Reece Goodyear on top of the leaderboard after the second round of the 37th Qatar Open Golf Amateur Championship on Friday.
At the Doha Golf Club, Epstein shot one-under 71 after having carded 75 in the first round for an aggregate of two-over-par 146. Overnight leader Goodyear shot two-over 74 yesterday. Welshman James Nash was a stroke behind the leaders, as he returned a one-over 73 and stay in contention going into the final day.
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.
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.
Leaderboard.