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, starting at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club on Monday. The 32-year-old Englishman leapfrogged to second place with $15,763 in earnings for the season, but will require another strong finish, if not a win, to close the gap on runaway leader and compatriot Luke Joy, who is sitting pretty atop the Order of Merit standings with $25,846 to his credit with Joshua White ($13,471) occupying solo third.
In contrast, the Order of Merit race for the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award that recognises the performance of the top three region’s professionals and amateurs from their respective divisions in each event, promises a thrilling finish.
With just a little over $1,000 separating Faycal Serghini and Ahmed Marjane, the exciting Moroccan duo are in with a shout of winning the award. In a sign of the times in an ever-changing world, the 22-year-old Marjane created history, becoming 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.
The healthy rivalry between good friends will certainly be one of the highpoints of GOLF CITIZEN Masters Al Ain that has replaced the AMEX Dirab Golf Championship in Saudi Arabia on the tour’s current schedule due to a last-minute logistical snag. Only players who had signed up for the championship have been invited to compete in the event in a move to honour their commitment.
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, second 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.
GOLF CITIZEN Masters Al Ain will see 54 players, including nine amateurs, contest for honours before the tour reaches its climax with the Tour Championship the following week.
If the feedback from the players is any indication, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club has always presented the course in great condition. With the par 5, 18th offering the chance of a closing birdie or an eagle, a grandstand finish is guaranteed.
“The course has plenty of scoring opportunities and is the kind of layout you can pile up birdies if you’re on your game,” as Scotland, a seven-time winner on the MENA Golf Tour, said, echoing the feelings of his fellow professionals.
The Englishman incidentally also holds the course record of a 63 he posted in the final round of the 2012 MENA Tour Championship, eventually finishing solo fifth on 12-under, five behind winner and fellow countryman William Harrold.
Order of Merit after the Ghala Valley Open:
Professionals:
1. Luke Joy (England) $25,846
2. Zane Scotland (England) $15,763
3. Joshua White (England) $10,790.00
4. Ross McGowan (England) $13,290
5. Carlos Balmaseda (Spain) $12,682
6. Faycal Serghini (Morocco) $12,601
7. Ahmed Marjane (Morocco) $11,451
8. Tyler Hogarty (South Africa) $11,437
9. Stuart Archibald (England) $10,315
10. Cyril Suk (Czech Republic) $9,417
Amateurs:
1. James Allan (England) 188 points
2. Daniel Kay (Scotland) 135
3. James Yeomans (England) 123
4. Craig Vance (England) 121
5. Michael Harradine (Switzerland) 111