RAS AL KHAIMAH // Yasin Ali was one of the early leaders today at the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open.
The in-form UAE-based Englishman shot a round 70, two-under-par, at the Al Badia Golf Club, which put him level with Britain's Chris Chamberlain and Gary Birch Jr, a former European Tour player now living in Germany.
Ali, 29, was second at the first Mena Tour event, in Abu Dhabi, and seventh last week when the tour moved to Ras Al Khaimah.
"I'm really pleased with my game today. I struggled a bit on the front nine and scrambled to a level par," he said.
"Then I really got going down the stretch, and with me it's usually the other way around.
"I normally start well and don't finish so strongly. So I am in good shape and once I hit some more greens, my scoring will go lower.
"It's been two good weeks for me. The last event before I came back out here was in Qualifying School in Cheshire, England, and it was way too cold. It's been good to get some sun on my back."
