Zane Scotland will need to recreate the brilliance of his emphatic victory at the Ghala Valley Open in Oman to enliven the Order of Merit race as the MENA Golf Tour reaches its business end with the Golf Citizen Masters Al Ain which commences at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club today.
The 32-year-old Englishman leapfrogged to second place with $15,763 (Dh57,850) in earnings for the season, but will require another strong finish, if not a win, to close the gap to runaway leader and compatriot Luke Joy.
DID YOU KNOW: @ZaneScotland holds @aesgc course record of a 63, he shot in 2012 #MENATourChampionship @AbuDhabiEvents @golfcitizen
— MENA Golf Tour (@MENAGolfTour) October 26, 2014
In contrast, the Order of Merit race for the Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award recognises the performance of the region’s top three professionals and amateurs from their respective divisions in each event. And the final leg towards these awards promises a thrilling finish.
With just a little over $1,000 (Dh3,676) separating Faycal Serghini and Ahmed Marjane, the exciting Moroccan duo are in with a shout of claiming the prestigious title.
The 22-year-old Marjane created history when he became the first player from the Arab world to win a MENA Golf Tour event, a feat he achieved at the RAK Classic earlier this month.
England’s James Yeomans and Scotland’s Daniel Kay consolidated their positions in the Order of Merit for amateurs after jointly topping the division on two-under 214.
Kay, who aced the par-3, in the second round at Ghala Valley Golf Club, is placed second with 135 points, 53 points behind leader James Allan of England with Yeomans occupying solo third on 123 points.
The Al Ain event will see 54 players, including nine amateurs, contest for honours before the Tour reaches its climax with the Tour Championship the following week.