Archibald in sight of first Mena Tour title
kuwait city — Stuart Archibald moved a step closer to his first Mena Tour title when he notched up four birdies around the turn en route to a 66 to take a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Sahara Kuwait Golf.
The 33-year-old Englishman, one back at the start, mixed seven birdies with three bogeys to top the leaderboard at 10-under with a four-man group, led by compatriot Luke Joy, lurking just behind the leader.
Max Smith, who fired the day’s best score of a 65, Henric Sturehed of Sweden and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre completed the group snapping at the heels of Archibald, one clear of Daniel Hendry (Scotland) and Philip Geerts (Italy).
Joshua White, the winner of the Mena Tour’s Order of Merit title in 2014, returned a second round 67 that left him alone in eighth place on seven under as just four shots separated the top 10, promising a thrilling finish to the event coming down the stretch on Wednesday.
“The conditions were much tougher today with cross winds affecting distance control on approach shots,” said Archibald, adding: “It feels good to be in the mix, but we still have 18 holes to play, anything can happen.”
Rising Scottish star MacIntyre backed up his opening 65 with a tidy 66 to put himself in the frame for a shot at the title. “Just kind of everything from ball striking to putting fell together, again,” said the 21-year-old prodigy, who is playing in his very second event since turning professional two weeks ago.
“Pleased with the way things are going. You never know what tomorrow holds, but it feels great to be in contention,” said MacIntyre.