Bogey-free Harry Ellis leads Al Ain Open by two shots

Al Ain: England’s Harry Ellis continued to dominate the Al Ain Open with a second successive round of 64 on day two at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club, while Egypt’s Issa Abou El Ela proved once again that the apple never falls far from the tree.

Ellis, who finished tied second in the Abu Dhabi Open, was bogey-free for a second consecutive day and moved to 12-under par 128 with his two 64s. The 24-year-old from Southampton is now two strokes ahead of second-placed Jesper Alm of Sweden, who shot his second straight 65.

Both Ellis and Alm are looking for their first-ever title on a recognised Tour.

There was a four-way tie for the third place at nine-under par, a group that included amateurs Josh Hill (66) and Curtis Knipes (64), Sweden’s Gustav Kocken (65), and the surprise package of the tournament – Issa (65).

A member of Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo, Issa made a dream start to his Mena Tour career with a hole-in-one and a 66 on Monday, and added a 65 in round two. The 24-year-old is the son of Amr Abou El Ela, winner of seven Pan Arab Championships and one of the most respected names in Middle East & North African golf.

“It was important for me to get off to a good start and carry on that momentum from yesterday, and I managed to get an early birdie on the 10th, which was playing very long and into the wind,” said Ellis.