Casablanca: Lee Corfield carded an unblemished five-under 66 to take the outright lead going into the final round of the Mena Tour’s season-opening Palmeraie Country Club Casablanca Open on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Englishman, who opened with a 68, reeled off four birdies on the front nine and one more coming home to reach eight-under for the tournament, one ahead of his compatriot Stuart Archibald and two clear of overnight leader Luke Joy, who returned a second round 70.
Morocco’s Younus El Hassani, Jack McDonald of Scotland and Leo Lilja of Spain shared fourth on five-under 137 as three shots separated the top seven, promising a thrilling finish coming down the stretch on Thursday.
“I played pretty good on the front nine and scrambled very well coming in,” said Corfield, who is a four-time winner on tour. “It was tricky out there because of the wind, but overall I am really pleased with my day’s work and looking forward to the final round.”
Seeking his maiden win on the tour, Archibald also hauled himself into contention with a tidy 66, picking up two shots on the front nine and three on the back.
“It feels nice to post a bogey-free round early in the season which shows my game is in good shape,” said Archibald, who was placed fifth overnight with an opening 69. “I drove the ball well and hit some nice iron shots. I did hit a few errant shots, but managed to get away with them with some good up-and-downs and that kept the round going and ticking over.”
Morocco’s El Hassani matched the day’s best score of a 66 to keep his chances of a breakthrough win on tour alive.
“I am striking the ball really well. Holed some good putts out there,” said El Hassani, who leads the Mena Division by four shots. “If I can keep the momentum rolling into the final round, I think I stand good chance to get the job done.”
Elsewhere, Holland’s Pierre Junior Verlaar stayed on top in the amateur division after a second round 71, five shots ahead of England’s Todd Clements.
The cut was made at three over 145 with 54 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to the final round. Among the notables who missed out on the final round included Zane Scotland (four over), former England cricketer Craig Kieswetter (seven over) and Danny Poulter (six over).
The Mena Tour was founded in 2011 to develop golf in the region. Leading players earn invites to play in select European Tour events, get full privileges on the Sunshine Tour and exemptions into the final stage of Asian Tour Q-School.
