Ayer Keroh, Malacca; June 10: Hsu Chia-jen of Chinese Taipei (pic) held on to his lead after the halfway stage of the PGM Melaka Classic on Friday but has M. Sasidaran and Takafumi Kawane breathing down his neck.
Hsu, who was still struggling with a flu, posted a three-under-par 69 for a seven-under-par 137 total to hold a one stroke lead in the RM180,000 (approximately US$60,000) Asian Development Tour event.
Japanese Kawane and Malaysian Sasidaran, who birdied his last two holes, returned with matching 68s to stay in contention at the Ayer Keroh Country Club.
Reigning Asian Development Tour Order of Merit winner S. Siva Chandhran of Malaysia fired the best round of the week so far with a sparkling 66 to share fourth place with Thailand’s Pongthep Jaewchumnanchao on a 139 total.
Hsu, last year’s Asian Development Tour Order of Merit runner-up, fired five birdies against two bogeys and hopes to maintain his title charge during the weekend.
“It is quite surprising how I can play so well even when I’m sick! But I’m glad because this puts me in good position for the weekend rounds,” said Hsu, who is aiming for his first Asian Development Tour victory.
Playing from the 10th tee, Sasidaran, who finished tied third at the Clearwater Masters in Perak, Malaysia in April, made 10 straight pars before bursting into life with four birdies. His highlight of the day came on the second hole when he sank a massive 25 footer birdie putt.
“I’m playing with a lot of confidence. On this course, you have to stay patient and keep the ball on the fairways,” said the Malaysian who found 17 greens and missed only one fairway today.
A total of 53 players made the weekend rounds with the cut set at five-over-par 149.
Leading second round scores
137 – Hsu Chia-jen (TPE) 68 -69
138 – Takafumi Kawane(JPN) 70-68, M.Sasidaran 70-68
139 – Pongthep Jaewchumnanchao (THA) 68-71, S.Sivachandhran 73-66
140 – Mohd Iylia Jamil (MAS) 68-72, Artemio Murakami(PHI) 73-67, R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 70-70
141 – Nay Bala Win Myint (MYA) 69-72
142 – Nicholas Fung 72-70, Lin Kuan-po (TPE) 71-71
143 – P.Gunasegaran 75-68, Haziq Hamizan 72-71, Airil Rizman 70-73, Motonari Nakagawa (JPN) 70-73, Zaw Moe (MYA) 69-74, Philip Tan (MAS) 74-69
Selected scores
144 – Danny CHIA (MAS) 73-71
146 – Gavin FLINT (AUS) 72-74
