American Dodge Kemmer and local favourite Othman Ibrahim Almulla from Saudi Arabia shot rounds of seven-under-par 64 and 65 respectively today at the US$125,000 Aramco Invitational to share the second-round lead in the 54-hole event.

The duo lead what is the penultimate event of the season on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) on 11 under by a shot from China’s Chen Guxin, who carded a 65.

First-round leader Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij from Thailand returned a 68 and is one stroke further back at Rolling Hills Golf Course.

Kemmer won the Gurugram Challenge in India in April, which was the first ADT played following the two-year break caused by the global pandemic, and his fine form this week could not have come at a better time as he is currently 11^th on the ADT Order of Merit with the top-10 earning Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.

“It was a fun round,” said Kemmer, who started on 10.

Othman Ibrahim Almulla

“I got off to a shaky start but hit a stride in the middle and had six birdies in a row. From 14 through 1. So that was fun. That run ended on the second but got another one coming in.”

The American finished equal fourth in last week’s PIF Saudi Open.

He added: “I had a good round last final round last week. I have started to putt a bit better, I kind of feel the speed a little more, my wedges have been closer, and I have gotten away with a few wayward drives, compared with other weeks. It’s a combination of all those things and making a lot of birdies.

“The course is great, in great shape, there are a lot of chances but you have to be smart about it. You can’t hit driver everywhere, you have to think your way around it.”

Othman also began on the back nine and is clearly revelling playing on his home course.

He played his first nine holes in six-under-par 30 thanks to an eagle and four birdies, although there were less fireworks on his second nine, which he played in even par.

In what is only the second ADT event ever to be played in Saudi Arabia, last week’s PIF Saudi Open was the first, he’ll be hoping to make it a special day for the emerging golfing nation by winning the title.

Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai is lurking ominously in a tie for fifth, just three off the lead after a 65. The Tour’s Order of Merit leader is attempting to become the first player to win four times in a single season on the ADT.

Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra, last week’s champion, fired a 70 and has a lot to do to record his third win this year as he is seven off the pace.