KUWAIT CITY — Stuart Archibald fired a bogey-free four-under 66 to haul himself into contention for a maiden title on the MENA Golf Tour going into the final round of the Sahara Kuwait Championship on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Englishman, starting the day two off the pace, picked two shots in each half to reach 10 under for the tournament, a good two shots clear of overnight leader Joe Heraty and Scotland’s Paul Doherty.

Germany’s Aaron Leitmannstetter, who returned a flawless 64, the day’s low score, joined South Africa’s Luke Trocado and Fernand Osther of the Netherlands for a share of fourth a further shot adrift.

“I didn’t get off to best of starts, but managed to make a couple of good par saves. A birdie of the sixth, however, got me going in the right mindset. Thereafter, I played really well,” said Archibald, who has been playing on the MENA Golf Tour since 2013.

“I have been in contention quite a few times and it would be nice to get the job done this time around. But we still have 18 holes to play. Anything can happen,” said the Hampshire native.

Overnight leader Heraty, who shot a level-par 70, firmly stayed in the frame for his first title on the tour. “I played almost similar to the one I did in the first round, but conditions were a bit different today. “It was quite windy and the greens were a bit faster.

“Didn’t hole that many putts, but I am still very happy to be in this position,” said the Englishman, whose opening 62 on Monday equalled the lowest score ever shot on the MENA Golf Tour, matching that of his compatriot Joshua White in the 2014 Golf Citizen Masters in Al Ain.

Scotland’s Doherty kept it clean in the second round, putting himself in prime position for a second MENA Golf Tour tile.

“Played quite nicely. Going bogey-free always makes things easier. I think I was quite consistent out there and putted really well. Holed everything from inside 15 feet which was great.

“Going forward the thinking is to stick to the same game plan and see what happens. But I do think I am in a good position entering the final round,” said the Scotsman, who won the Royal D’Anfa Open in Morocco last year.

Former English cricketer Craig Kieswetter, who opened with a 68, dropped six shots in his first seven holes, but responded well with five birdies to sign for a 71. At three-under after 36 holes, he is placed second in the amateur division, two behind Brazil’s Tiago Lobo and Todd Clements of England.

Lobo, a Dubai-based MENA Golf Tour regular, followed his opening 68 with a 67 while Clements mixed five birdies with two bogeys en route to 67 to share 10th overall on five under.

Morocco’s Ahmed Marjan produced the shot of the day, holing his approach from 80 yards for an eagle on the par-4 first and then picked up two more shots on the back nine as he signed for a bogey-free 66.

That left him leading the MENA Division for professionals on two under 138, four clear of his compatriot Faycal Serghini and Peter Peter Badawy, who stumbled to a 77 after opening with a 65.

Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Attieh carded back-to-back 70s to reach level par for the tournament, taking a one-shot lead over his fellow countryman Othman Almulla in the amateur division for the region.

The cut was made at three over 143 with 45 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to Wednesday’s final round.

KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait will provide a snapshot of its growing reputation as a fast-emerging golf destination when Sahara Golf and Country Club makes its debut on the MENA Golf Tour on Monday.

There is a definite buzz surrounding the Sahara Kuwait Championship that coincides with the 10^th anniversary of the club as most of players will get their first look at the course, a stunning Peter Harradine-designed layout that requires precision and nerve to pass the test.

Having faced similar situations on the tour in the past, players, however, remain unfazed by the lack of local knowledge and believe it will hardly be the deciding factor as they jockey for positions of the Order of Merit.

“One practice round and you have a fair idea of what to expect. Trust your swing and have fun playing each shot as tension kills your game,” said Morocco’s Younes El Hassani, one of the regulars on the tour.

Headlined by 11 winners on the MENA Golf Tour, the field is certain to provide a grueling challenge on Kuwait’s first 18-hole grass course in addition to driving Kuwait into the global golfing spotlight.

Included in the starting line-up are five Kuwaiti amateurs who will be competing in a MENA Golf Tour event for the first time. Qatami Al Qatami, Ali Al Ansari, Abdulaziz Al Sarawi, Ali Alhajeri and Ahmed Al Sarawi will be hoping the experience of playing alongside professionals will stand them in good stead for future engagements.

“We are delighted to be part of the Mena Golf Tour as we feel the championship will be a great catalyst for the overall growth and development of the sport in our country,” said Yousef Abdulaziz Al Qatami, member of Sahara Kuwait’s golf advisory committee.

“It will not only be a great opportunity for us to showcase our championship course and other tourist attractions as well,” he said, adding: “Ours is the only grass course in the country it makes perfect sense to bring international tournaments there if we are to promote golf here.

“Also, being an Arab state, we also feel a sense of obligation to support all initiatives which target overall development of the game in the region,” he said, adding: “We have recently introduced a junior development programme aimed at promoting the game at the grassroots level.

“The (MENA) tour has done a great job in providing a springboard for the region’s players to grow and excel on the international stage. We look forward to welcoming MENA Golf Tour members and I am confident they will return home with fond memories of playing in our country.”

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, said: “We feel proud and privileged to join hands with Sahara Golf and Country Club for the event which, I believe, will motivate local talent to take their game seriously and strive for excellence.”

“Their support has further strengthened our resolve to stimulate growth of golf in the region and beyond.

“We appreciate all the hard work in presenting the course in top condition. With the field comprising a great mix of experience and youth, we are headed for an entertaining week. I wish all the players the very best,” he added.

Built to PGA standards, Sahara Kuwait is a challenging a challenging par 70, 6,730 -yard layout, featuring three lakes and nearly 5,000 trees. Adding to the course’s distinctive character are its 12 holes bounded by the racetrack of the Hunting and Equestrian Club.

An initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour was created in 2011 with the aim of developing golf in the region. It is affiliated to R&A, the worldwide golf governing body based in the home of golf, St Andrews, and the Arab Golf Federation and enjoys the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status.

Multiple European Tour starts, including the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Hassan II Trophy and the Maybank Championship Malaysia in addition to full playing privileges on the Sunshine Tour and exemptions into the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Q-School for the leading three professionals are some of the added incentives for the MENA Golf Tour members.