Special invitees make the cut in Desert Classic

Dubai: All three Mena Tour Order of Merit-topping professionals — handed special invitations to make their European Tour debuts at the $2.5 million (Dh9.1 million) Omega Dubai Desert Classic — made the cut yesterday.

Peter Richardson carded three under par 141 (70, 71), while Jake Shepherd snuck through on one under par 143 (73, 70) along with Sean McNamara (72, 71).

Meanwhile, other amateurs and qualifiers from the year-old Mena Tour series, which aims to provide exposure to up-and-coming golfers, didn't fare so well.

Best amateur Ahmad Marjan shot 11 over par 155 (81, 74), while best Emirati on the tour Ahmad Al Musharrakh shot four over par 148 (76, 72).

Other Mena Tour performers handed special invites also faltered, including four-over 148s for Ross Bain (72, 76) and Younis El Hassani (74, 74) and Ross Canavan on nine over par 153 (77, 76).

‘Something in the water'

Richardson said: "I'm over the moon. This is my first main tour event and I played great. To play well and make the cut is a huge bonus. I've played some challenge tour events and I have challenge tour status this year but nothing equals this. "I play well in Dubai, today was my eleventh round without being over par, so there's obviously something in the water.

"Coming over for the Mena Tour in October I didn't have any expectations but it's given me a great opportunity I wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to. The plan was to play steady, don't make daft mistakes, hit a lot of fairways and greens. This is something I'll always remember. The pressure is off now I just see how it goes over the next two days"

Shepherd said: "This completely overshadows anything I've ever played in, apart from the majors this is one of the best events in the world so I'm delighted to have made the cut."