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
146 - Sam Epstein, Reece Goodyear147 - James Nash
148 - Ali al-Shahrani, Joe Jones
149 - Saleh Ali Musbah al-Kaabi, Calum Fitzgerald
150 - Yaseen Le Falher, Daniil Sokolov
151 - Sultan Abdullah al-Hakam, Omar Khalid Hussain, Greg McClure
152 - Tej Gangavarapu