Kieffer feeling positive ahead of weekend Oman charge

World number 303 Maximilian Kieffer (16/1 – Oman Open Outright) was happy with how he handled the tough conditions at a weather-affected Oman Open and he is feeling confident heading into the weekend’s action at Al Mouj Golf.

After opening the tournament with a three-under-par 69, Kieffer made four birdies and two bogeys for a two-under-par 70 in his second round to climb into a three-way share of third on five-under alongside Scott Jamieson and Yusaku Miyazato.

The 28-year-old German, who is chasing his maiden European Tour title, was one of only 10 players that managed to complete 18 holes on Friday as a sandstorm forced play to be suspended early for the day.

Both Jamieson and Miyazato are yet to start their second rounds whilst Belgian Thomas Pieters (9/2f – Oman Open outright), who heads a group of 10 players on four-under, also failed to make the tee on day two.

Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen (12/1) and American Kurt Kitayama (20/1) are leading the way on six-under although the duo still have to complete round two when play restarts early Saturday morning.

With the large majority of the field having to play more than 18 holes on day three, Kieffer is hoping to make the most of the situation and keep himself right in contention for the win.

“It’s a decent score in these conditions. It’s not playing very easy. It was windy and getting gusty too. The pins are difficult on firm greens, so I’m pleased with two under today,” he was quoted as saying by sport24.

“It was a day where you needed to have the right feel for how the ball was going to react, and I had a pretty good feeling today. Looking at the big picture, it’s a good position to be in.”

Odds subject to change