Friday, July 13, 2012

Fung Keeps Lead At BII Maybank ADT Challenge

Jakarta, July 13 - Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung shrugged off the old superstitions surrounding the notorious Friday the 13th date by carding a flawless four-under-par 68 to hold the second round lead at the inaugural BII Maybank ADT Challenge on Friday.

The Malaysian will head into the third and final round of the US$50,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event with a three-shot lead over Jay Bayron of Philippines after compiling a two-day total of 10-under-par 134.

Bayron closed with an eagle-three on the par-five ninth to move up to second place on 68 while local hope Benny Kasiadi of Indonesia signed for a 69 to take third place on 138.

Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach posted a 69 to secure fourth place while five players which include Chinese Taipei’s Chiang Chen-chih, Australia’s Unho Park and Tim Stewart, India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu and Sri Lanka’s Anura Rohana are tied for fifth on 140 at the Imperial Klub Golf.

Fung, who took the opening round lead with a 66, dispelled the myth that Friday the 13th is a day of bad luck with another commanding performance which was highlighted by birdies on holes four, five, eight and 15.

“I’m very happy with how I’ve played today as it was very windy. I managed to hit the ball well and only missed a couple of short putts,” said Fung.

“There’s always going to be pressure especially when you head into the final round with the lead. I’ll try to do my best and hopefully the result will come,” added the Malaysian.

Maybank, Malaysia’s regional financial leader, also title sponsors the Maybank Malaysian Open which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia, the ADT has gained support from Corporate Asia, growing its schedule from five tournaments in the first season to eight tournaments in the 2011 season.

A record total of 12 events will be played this season with the top three finishers on the Order of Merit earning Asian Tour cards for 2013.

The leading three players on the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals.

Leading second round scores:

134 - Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 66-68

137 - Jay BAYRON (PHI) 69-68

138 - Benny KASIADI (INA) 69-69

139 - Mitchell SLORACH (SIN) 70-69

140 - Ajeetesh SANDHU (IND) 72-68, CHIANG Chen-Chih (TPE) 67-73, Unho PARK (AUS) 69-71, Anura Rohana (SRI) 69-71, Tim STEWART (AUS) 70-70

Selected score:

141 - Danny CHIA (MAS) 72-69

No comments:

Post a Comment