Clarke Lutton enjoyed another great day at The Els Club on Tuesday, firing a sizzling six-under 66 to take a commanding lead, while a careerbest 67 propelled Morocco’s Ayoub Lguirati to the top of the amateur division going into the final round of the MENA Golf Tour’s Golf Citizen Classic.
One shot in front overnight, Lutton reeled off seven birdies, including three in a row from the 16th, against a lone bogey to reach 11-under for the tournament, a good four shots ahead of England’s Stuart Archibald and Trevor Marshall of New Zealand.
It was a similar story of success for the vastly-improved Lguirati who, while in sparking form off the tee, was just as good with his irons as his 67 moved him to four-under.
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An interesting battle is shaping up in the amateur division with just two shots separating the top four.
Lguirati is one ahead of India’s Rayhan Thomas and Slovakia’s Jakub Hrinda and two clear of Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Attieh.
“I am really pleased with my game. Everything fell into place, which is great. If I can keep the momentum going, I think I stand a good chance of racking up a strong finish,” said the 21-year-old Moroccan from Agadir.
England’s Zane Scotland, a ninetime winner on the Tour, shot a tidy 68 to join Germany’s Aaron Leit- Leader strengthens grip while amateur Ayoub impresses mannstetter for a share of fourth on five under as four players, including Lguirati, were tied for sixth a further shot adrift.
Scotland’s Lutton started strongly with a birdie on the first and never took his foot off the pedal all day for his lowest score on the MENA Golf Tour.
Scotland’s Lutton four clear @TheElsClubDubai More on this story #GolfCitizenClassic http://t.co/ly2Qapw6yY #MakingItPossible @golfindubai
— MENA Golf Tour (@MENAGolfTour) October 13, 2015
“I was pretty relaxed out there and hit a lot of good shots and made lots of good putts,” said the Scotsman.
“You never know what tomorrow holds, but I feel like I’m in great position.
“I’ll just go out and try to play the same way as I played in the first two rounds and see what the outcome is,” added Lutton, who considers The Els Club as his home course.
England’s Archibald was equally pleased with his efforts that matched the day’s best score of a 66.
“I hit my approach shots a lot closer (to the pin), giving myself enough realistic birdie chances. I may have left some shots out there, but overall I putted well,” said the Englishman who had opened with a 71 on Monday.
“The course is playing well, maybe a little bit longer than it did during the DUBAi Open last December. “It’s a bit on the softer side which means you still have a chance to hit the greens if you missed the fairways.”
Playing a consistent tee-to-green game, New Zealand’s Marshall also vaulted up the leaderboard with a bogey-free 67.
The talented UAE-based golfer made the turn at two-under and picked up another three shots on the back nine to put himself in contention for his maiden title.
Elsewhere, England’s Miles Tunnicliff, a two-time winner on the European Tour, slipped to oneunder after a 73 while Morocco’s Amine Joudar backed up his opening 72 with a 73 to lead the MENA Division (professional) on one over.
The cut was made at four over 148 with 43 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to the final round.
