Kuala Lumpur, June 27 - Berry Henson of the United States posted a two-under-par 70 in windy conditions to maintain his lead in the second round of the PGM-UMW Templer Park Masters on Thursday.
Henson, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation, totaled eight-under-par 136 to lead by one over Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, who also returned with a 70 at the Templer Park Country Club.
Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader James Bowen of the United States and Michael Tran of Vietnam shared third position, shooting a 70 and 71 respectively to trail Henson by three shots at the RM200,000 (approximately US$65,000) event.
Henson, who has won once on the ADT, was one-over at the turn but recovered with four birdies against one bogey on his homeward nine to preserve his overnight lead.
“It was windy and it was difficult to predict where the wind was blowing. On my last three holes, the wind kind of died and that’s when I birdied seven and eight,” said the American, who started from the 10th tee.
Henson enjoyed a sensational rookie season in 2011 where he won his first ADT title before going on to earn a superb breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the 2011 ICTSI Philippine Open.
“When I won on the ADT, it gave me the confidence to win on the Asian Tour. Any experience you can get out of here will only help you in the future. This week, I’m also playing for world ranking points, which is important to any professional player,” said Henson.
Reigning Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour Order of Merit winner Fung rode on a hot putter to stay in touch with the leader after sinking two birdies on 17 and 18.
“It was very windy and I misjudged the wind. Thankfully, I managed to get a lot of up-and-downs. I was struggling with my irons because of the wind but my putting saved me. I hope I can remain consistent in the next two days,” said the bespectacled Sabahan.
Indonesia's Rory Hie carded an even par 72 for the round, which puts him in a share of 30th place, climbing from 42nd (74) on the first day, 10 shots behind the leader. The only other Indonesian in the tournament, amateur Adrian Halimi, finished with rounds of 76 and 78 in a share for 79th place at 10 over-par.
The halfway cut was set at five-over-par 149 with 54 players advancing to the final two rounds.
Leading second round scores
136 – Berry HENSON (USA) 66 70
137 – Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 67 70
139 – James BOWEN (USA) 69 70, Michael TRAN (VIE) 68 71
140 – Steve LEWTON (ENG) 67 73
141 – Kodai ICHIHARA (JPN) 72 69, Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS) 67 74
142 – Michael MOORE (AUS) 68 74, David LUTTERUS (AUS) 72 70, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 71 71, M. Sasidaran (MAS) 71 71, Mitsuhiko HASHIZUME (JPN) 73 69
Selected:
146 – Rory HIE (INA) 74 72
Missed cut:
154 - Adrian HALIMI (INA) (A) 76 78
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