Ayer Keroh, Malacca; June 9: Rookie Mohd Iylia Jamil (pic) continued his sterling display this season as he shared the opening round lead with Hsu Chia Jen of Chinese Taipei and Thai Pongthep Jaewchumnanchao at the Professional Golf of Malaysia Melaka Classic today.
Already a winner on the newly-established PGM Tour, Iylia comfortably registered a four-under-par 68, which was matched by Hsu and upcoming star Pongthep in in the RM180,000 (approximately US$60,000) Asian Development Tour event.
Myanmarese duo Nay Bala Win Myint and veteran Zaw Moe were a stroke back in tied fourth place at the Ayer Keroh Country Club. Malaysians Airil Rizman, PGM Order of Merit leader R. Nachimuthu, M. Sasidaran and Takafumi Kawane of Japan were among nine players bunched up in tied sixth place on identical 70s.
Despite struggling with flu, Hsu set the clubhouse lead at 68 in the morning session but the sweet-swinging Iylia got his campaign off to a good start with two consecutive birdies on the first two holes to make the turn on 34. Four further birdies against a single double bogey on the 14th after his tee-shot went out of bounds saw the 21-year-old Malaysian pull level with Hsu.
“I haven’t felt this comfortable with my putting since winning at the Kinrara event,” said Iylia, who won on his professional debut at the PGM Kinrara Classic in March. “The greens were in great condition and running nicely. I just had an awesome time out there today,” he admited.
The hilly Ayer Keroh Country Club terrain may prove unforgiving as the tournament progresses but Iylia is taking in his strides. “There’s no doubt that it’s a tough walk, so managing my energy level is going to be crucial. I’m feeling comfortable with my game this week and as long I keep the game plan simple and perform better, I think I can keep myself ahead,” added Iylia, who is attempting to become the first local to win an ADT event on home shore this year.
Hsu, last year’s Asian Development Tour Order of Merit runner-up, was delighted with his round of five birdies against one bogey and is hoping to make a timely recovery.“It was a struggle out there especially with my flu but I’m proud of myself for shooting my score. I can tell you it wasn’t easy. I’m going to take a lot of rest later and hopefully recover for tomorrow,” said the 30-year-old.
Canadian Lindsay Renolds shot the tournament’s first hole-in-one with a six iron on the par three 186-yard 17th hole. He returned with a 73.
The historic town of Malacca is located about a two-hour journey from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The PGM Melaka Classic is organised by the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.
Leading first round scores
68 – Mohd Iylia Jamil, Hsu Chia-jen (TPE), Pongthep Jaewchumnanchao (THA)
69 – Nay Bala Win Myint (MYA), Zaw Moe (MYA)
70 – Aadil Jehangir (PAK), Michael Moore (AUS), Ang Tsung-chieh (TPE), Helmie Yusof (MAS), Motonari Nakagawa (JPN), Takafumi Kawane (JPN), Airil Rizman, R. Nachimuthu, M.Sasidaran
71 – M.Ramayah, Michael Tran (VIE), Nicholas Pua, Lin Kuan-po (TPE)
Selected scores
72 – Gavin Flint (Aus)
73 – Danny China
