Joe Jones in front at Abu Dhabi Golf Club Men’s Open
Won the Junior Dubai Desert Classic by two shots earlier this year at Emirates Golf Club
Left hander Joe Jones (Wales), shot a second round two under par 70 to lead on 142 in the 54-hole Abu Dhabi Golf Club Men’s Open over the National Course.
18 year-old Welsh International Jones started the day on level par as a co-leader after a first round 72.
Jones, playing off a +2 handicap, had a five birdie round one and followed it up with another five birdie round, with a strong back nine of 33, with birdies on holes 15 and 16. Jones won the Junior Dubai Desert Classic by two shots earlier this year at Emirates Golf Club who is planning to base himself in Dubai until the end of next month.
Two shots back is Jake Wiltshire (Abu Dhabi Golf Club) with rounds of 73 and 71.
First round co-leader Sam Mullane (JGE) shot a second round 74 to be tied third.
The leading home golf club player is the 2023 Club Champion, Thomas Nesbitt (ADGC) has had rounds of 74 and 77 for 151 and tied ninth place.
This event is a qualifier for the 2022 – 2023 Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Men’s Order of Merit as well as a WAGR event supported by the R&A.
In the Net Division, Gustav Larsson (The Els Club) shot a second round 67 to be seven under off his nine handicap to join first round leader Damon Mitchell (8, ADGC) on 137.
Damon De Villiers, Golf Operations Manager at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, said, ‘We have a strong leaderboard with some of the leading players in the UAE and region in contention. We wish all players the best in the final round which will be set up at 7,318 yards, slightly longer than for the first two rounds.’
The third and final round will be played tomorrow (Sunday) with the final pairing of Jones, Wiltshire and Mullane off at 10.10 am.
Round Two Gross Leaders (7,039 Yards, Par 72)
1 - J. Jones (Langland Bay GC, Wales) 72, 70 = 142 (-2)
2 - J. Wiltshire (AD City GC) 73, 71 = 144 (Par)
3 - S. Mullane (JGE) 72, 74 = 146 (+2)
- J. Parekh (Bombay Presidency Golf Club, India) 73, 73 = 146 (+2)
5 - E. Galeppini (Dubai Creek) 75, 73 = 148 (+4)