Singapore’s James Leow and Dodge Kemmer of the USA held a slim lead after the second round of the Aramco Invitational Tournament in Saudi Arabia today after rain and wind affected play at the mid-point of the final Asian Development Tour event of the year.

With both players posting a two under par score of 70, they lead by a single shot from the Thai duo of Varanyu Rattanaboonkij (72) and Itthipat Buranatanyarat (68) in the US$250,000 tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club.

With Kemmer leading off in the morning wave, and Leow playing in the afternoon, the pair were able to play either side of the inclement weather, and will join in the leading group tomorrow to continue their battle into the third round.

Having shot seven under par yesterday, Leow reflected on the changes the weather had made to his round.

“We had favourable conditions for the afternoon wave,” he said, “but with the strong wind conditions, it didn’t make the hole the same as it was yesterday. It felt like I was a little further back and it made it tougher to get close to the tucked pins today.

‘The key was to give myself as many looks and opportunities as possible and I did as well as I could, I made some putts and came back pretty good,” he added.

“I played here last year and I was way back,” he said. “I didn’t really do much, but i think I learned a lot from last year. Playing the last couple of events has prepped me for this week’s conditions so I’m really excited for the weekend,” he said.

DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA: Dodge Kemmer of USA pictured on November 28, 2024 during the 2nd round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 28, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

Ryoto Furuya (68) of the USA shot the low round of the day alongside Itthipat and sits in solo fifth place on seven under par.

In the final event of the season, the race for Order of Merit honours is the real battle this week, and Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (71) was the best performer of the season-long contenders.

He finished in sixth place today and will be looking to close the gap on OOM leader Rahil Gangee (73) who sits in joint 25th spot, and also stretch his advantage over third-placed Tanapat Pichaikool (74) in 14th.

In seventh place heading into Round Three, Joel Stalter (71) of France leads by one shot over a mixed international group in eighth which includes Sweden’s Filip Lundell, Thitipan Pachuayprakong of Thailand, Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar, Marcus Lim of Malaysia, Aidric Chan of the Philippines and India’s Khalin Joshi.

Despite the poor weather conditions during the day, Round Two was completed as scheduled and play will continue tomorrow with the first groups heading off at 8.20am local time.

The cut was made at two over par and 54 players will continue into the final rounds, with the leaders teeing off at 9.48am.

Main picture: James Leow of Singapore pictured on November 28, 2024 during the 2nd round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 28, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)