Scotland’s Paul Doherty has moved to the top of the MENA Golf Tour’s Order of Merit standings after posting a creditable second, highlighted by a course record-equalling 64 in the opening round of the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open at Al Badia Golf Club on Wednesday.

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The talented 30-year-old Scot, who broke through on the tour with his maiden win at the Royal D’Anfa Open in Morocco earlier this season, has taken his earnings from the first five events to $16,020, ahead of English duo Gary King ($15,899) and Jake Shepherd ($14,445).

Also making inroads into the top five on the Order of Merit was Sweden’s Per Barth, who produced a dramatic charge coming home to win the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open, a good two shots ahead of Doherty.

England’s James Allan continues to lead the Order of Merit in the amateur division, accumulating 185 points, well ahead of India’s Rayhan Thomas as Alex Wills made strides on the standings with a top-place finish in the division at Al Badia Golf Club.

The MENA Division for the Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award that recognises the performance of the top three region’s pros and amateurs sees Moroccan pro Faycal Serghini maintaining his position at the top.

With his compatriots Ahmed Marjan and Amine Joudar putting more heat on him along with Mehdi Sassi, the order may change when the tour reaches its business end later this month.