Ames shoots 69 to retain lead in Morocco

FILE PHOTO: Stephen Ames of Canada tees off on the first hole during the second round of the Canadian Open golf tournament at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, July 26, 2013. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill (CANADA – Tags: SPORT GOLF)

Stephen Ames shot a 3-under-par 69 on Friday to retain his lead by three strokes after the second round of the Morocco Champions in Marrakech.

The Canadian entered the day with a four-stroke lead after an opening-round 63. He had four birdies and a bogey on the round at the Samanah Golf Club.

Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal (68), Germany’s Bernhard Langer (68) and Brett Quigley (66) are tied in second place at 9 under.

Olazabal shot even par on the front nine, then posted three birdies in five holes on the back. His back nine was highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-3, 207-yard 17th hole, but he squandered an opportunity to move into second place by himself with a bogey on the par-4 18th hole.

Defending Charles Schwab Cup winner and 2019 Player of the Year Scott McCarron scattered seven birdies to shoot the day’s low round of 65. He started Friday in a tie for 28th place and catapulted into a tie for fifth place with fellow American Scott Parel (68), Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie (69) and Australia’s Rod Pampling (68).

South African Retief Goosen, who was tied for second place after the opening round, fired a 1-over 73 and is tied for 23rd place.

Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, winner of the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii, shot even-par 72 to end the round in a tie for 39th place.

This is the first PGA Tour-sanctioned stroke-play event to be contested on the continent of Africa.

—Field Level Media

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source: reuters.com