Aadil Jehangir played solid golf during the second round of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Tour Sheikh Maktoum Open Golf Championship, at the Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai.
He now stays in contention providing ample sparkle, lighting up this championship through consistency and some power hitting. With a first day’s excellence-oriented score of four under par 68 in his bag, Aadil followed it up with, almost, an equally superb round on the second day.
His 69 of the second round when added to his 68 of the opening round gives him an impressive aggregate of seven under par 137, three shots behind the leader Peter Richardson of Great Britain and two shots behind Dale Marminon of USA. By virtue of this he will be playing in on the final day in the glare of TV cameras and watched by the international media present there, certainly improving his country’s image.
Communicating over the phone, Aadil said that the competition is fearsome and it is easy to succumb to the pressure of international players playing so well, but there is considerable momentum in his game and he now hopes to keep the Pakistani flag flying proudly.
Another golf professional from Pakistan who has elevated his position on the second day is Shafiq Masih. At the end of the first round he was placed 16th with a card of one under par 71, but then the second day brought the best out of the upcoming champion. Through regulation pars and three birdies, his round of 69 propels him from 16th to fourth position on the leader board. As for Shahid Javed Khan of Royal Palm, he drops from second slot to 8th.
Perform he did on the second day too, creating many birdie opportunities but could not convert them because the putts either lipped the hole or stopped at the edge.
Matloob Ahmed, another golf professional of the country is placed 34th with rounds of 71 and 75.
Top Positions: Peter Richardson(Great Britain) 66+68=134; Dale Marminon (USA) 68+68=136; Aadil Jehangir (Pakistan) 68+69=137; Shafiq Masih (Pakistan) 71+69=140; Lindsay Renolds (Canada) 70+70=140; Ross Canavan (UK) 72+68=140; Brian Njoroge (Kenya) 69+71=140.
