By Armstrong Vas

DOHA (Qat): Qatar’s Ali Al Shahrani on Friday kept his composure in most trying weather conditions to take a six-stroke lead into the final day of the Qatar Open Amateur Championship.

A total of 108 golfers are taking part in the event, with the winner earning a place at next month’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Al Shahrani shot 1-under par 70 to head the leaderboard at the end of the second day of the amateur competiton organized by Qatar Golf Association in association with the Qatar Olympic Committee.

The event is played on individual stroke play format and Saturday’s action will see 60 vying for the top honours.

“Today I shot one under par and yesterday I shot one over par so I am leading over my friend Saleh Al Kaabi,” said Al Shahrani, while speaking to www.qatar-masters.com

Al Shahrani has a gross score of 145 from two rounds and has a six-stroke lead over his Qatari team-mate Saleh Al Kaabi, who has a net score of 151 of 7-over par.

Speaking about the weather conditions for the last two days, Al Shahrani said the strong winds was a challenge for most of the golfers on the course.

“Today and yesterday was so windy, but I managed to put up a good show on the second day. Hopefully, I will do better tomorrow (Saturday) and win the tournament,” he said.

Overnight leader Ruan Jordaan has slipped into third place following an unimpressive show.

“Conditions were very tough today. I had the luck of the draw yesterday so I had an early tee off and the wind was not so strong when I was on the golf course yesterday,” said the Doha-based South African.

“I think I’m no more in contention for the title but I will try to be in the race for qualification for the Qatar Masters,” said Jordaan, who is two strokes behind Al Kaabi.

Tom Sweigart is in the fourth spot three shots behind Jordaan while another Qatari Jaham Al Al Kuwari occupies the fifth place.