Abu Dhabi: Round five of the nine-stage Mena Golf Tour tees off at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club with the Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open from Monday to Wednesday.
England’s Luke Joy leads the Professional Order of Merit on $15,000 (Dh51,000) ahead of compatriot Joshua White on $10,790 and France’s Edouard Espana on $9,000.
Joy won the third round of the current series at Dubai Creek and finished second in round four at Al Badia, this month, after White and Espana, won rounds one and two, respectively, in Morocco, in March.
In the amateur division England’s James Allan leads on 119 points ahead of fellow Englishmen Craig Vance on 62 points and James Yeomans on 60.
Allan was the leading amateur in rounds one and four, while Yeomans and Vance were the leading amateurs in rounds two and three, respectively.
All six players will be up against former professional series winners Jake Shepherd, Steven Dodd and Zane Scotland, in the field of 124 players.
This event will be the 25th event in the series three-year history and features a total of sixteen previous event winners.
Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, chairman of the Mena Golf Tour said: “How time flies. It seems like only yesterday when we announced the tour. Reaching the 25th tournament mark gives us tremendous satisfaction and a sense of achievement, but the job is half done.
“The number of players on the tour is going up, but not the number of tournaments. We need corporate houses to come forward to support the tour, which is aimed at the overall development of golf in the region.
“Also, the tour needs recognition from the International Federation of Golf Tours, which I am sure will happen soon. Their support means a lot to us.”
Meanwhile, Paul Booth, director of Club Operations at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, said: “We look forward to welcoming back the Mena Golf Tour party. The course has been set up nicely to provide a fair all-round test for the players.
“The course is in great condition. Shifting desert winds will hold the key to going low on this course. The players will have to hit their approach shots in the right places on the undulating greens if they aim to do well.”
