Rayan Ahmed leads the charge after sensational 66 at Faldo Series in Al Ain
Rayan Ahmed (EGF) put on a commanding display in Round 2 of the Faldo Series, carding a brilliant four-under-par 66 to surge into the lead with a two-shot advantage heading into the decisive final round at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
Backing up his opening-round 68, Ahmed now sits at six under par (134) after 36 holes, two shots clear of Raghav Gulati (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club) in this fiercely contested 54-hole tournament.
Sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation and recognized as a WAGR qualifier, the Faldo Series continues to showcase the region's rising golf talents. The tournament, known for its inclusive format featuring both boys and girls, is supported by The R&A and reflects the growing global reach of junior golf.
As the leaderboard tightens, Lukas Astrom (Jumeirah Golf Estates) lurks just one shot further back at 137, while the Girl's Division is equally poised for a thrilling finale. Anca Mateiu (EGF), representing Emirates Golf Club, holds a narrow advantage at two under par, with Ananyaa Sood (The Els Club, Dubai) trailing by a single stroke after both players carded impressive second-round 69s.
Reflecting on his round, Ahmed expressed both confidence and excitement: 'I played alongside Raghav and Lukas today, and we had a great time—at least I did! Taking a two-shot lead into the final round is a fantastic position to be in, and we'll be playing together again tomorrow.'
His driving, he admitted, was near perfection: 'It felt like my ball was on a string—I never say things like that, but today was special. I've managed to stay out of the waste areas, keeping myself in scoring positions. That's where rounds can be won or lost. I had two bogeys and six birdies today, and while I missed a few putts, I can't complain.'
Looking ahead to the final round, Ahmed's strategy remains aggressive: 'My mindset won't change—stay aggressive, take it one shot at a time, and stay in the moment. Walking the course without caddies really helps keep us focused.'
The tournament's decisive round takes place tomorrow (Thursday), concluding with the Prize Presentation across all divisions:
Round Two Scores (Par 70):
R. Ahmed (EGF) – 68, 66 (134)
R. Gulati (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club) – 70, 66 (136)
L. Astrom (Jumeirah Golf Estates) – 68, 69 (137)
A. Mateiu (EGF) – 69, 69 (138)
A. Sood (The Els Club, Dubai) – 70, 69 (139)
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