As the Qatari golfer took the Qatar Open Amateur Championship lead with an overall card of one-over after the second round on Friday, Ali al-Shahrani had an enthralling back nine.

The 27-year-old Qatari, who had two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine, made three birdies in the last five holes before finishing with a double bogey on the 18th to end one-under for the day at the Doha Golf Club in cloudy weather.

Al-Shahrani, who began the day in the second position behind South African Ruan Jordaan, showed promise during the tournament and expressed satisfaction with his results.

Al-Shahrani is six shots ahead of his fellow countryman and friend Saleh Ali al-Kaabi, who is in second place.

The three-day championship is played in the individual matchplay format and for the final day's play, the field will be limited to just 60 players.

As he was in third place, two strokes behind al-Kaabi, Overnight Leader Jordaan was dissatisfied with his results.

Tom Sweigart is in the fourth position, accompanied by Jaham al-Kuwari, another Qatari.

The winner of the tournament, which is being arranged by the Qatar Golf Association in cooperation with the Qatar Olympic Committee, will be qualifying for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters golf tournament, which will take place at the Education City Golf Club from March 11 to 14.