Batu Gajah, Perak; June 21: Another dominating performance from Shaaban Hussin (pic) saw the 31-year-old open up a four-stroke lead at the halfway point of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Clearwater Classic today.
A consecutive near-perfect six-under 66 put Shaaban in control with a 132 total in the RM150,000 event taking place at the Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort in Batu Gajah.
Shaifubari Muda mixed eight birdies against two bogeys for a 66 of his own to move into second place on 136 while Danny Chia, who won the season-opening PGM Impian Classic, was a further shot behind on 137 after a round of 68 today.
Tied fourth on 143 were the trio of M. Sasidaran, Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari as well as overnight joint leader Md Rashid Ismail, who slid down the leaderboard after a dismal 73 today.
But all attention was focused on Shaaban, who got off to a fiery start with five birdies in the front nine to make the turn on 31. After three-putting the 12th for his only blemish of the day, the father-of-one ended his round on a high with an eagle on the 18th.
“I’ve just got that feeling this week. I struggled a bit in the windy conditions at Santiburi Samui over the weekend but my ball placement here has just been perfect. The fairways are as good as any and the greens are rolling true, so it’s been a very encouraging start,” said Shaaban, who rushed back home after finishing tied for 50th position at the Asian Tour’s US$300,000 Queen’s Cup.
Shaaban, who was victorious in the PGM Terengganu Classic in January, is cautious of the favourite tag despite holding a handsome lead. “Yes, winning here will be great but I don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on myself. There’s still two rounds of golf to play.
“I hope to stick to my game plan, maintain my successful putting routine and just stay in control of my rhythm,” he added, stating that he is confident of bettering his scores over the next two days.
A total of 53 players will tee-off the third round tomorrow morning with the cut coming at nine-over-par 153. The PGM Clearwater Classic is the ninth leg of the inaugural PGM Tour, which was unveiled in December 2010.
Leading second round scores
132 Shaaban Hussin (66-66)
136 Shaifubari Muda (70-36)
137 Danny Chia (69-68)
139 M. Sasidaran (72-67), Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari (67-72), Md Rashid Ismail (66-73)
140 Hanafiah Jamil (70-70)
142 P.Gunasagaran (73-69), Wilson Choo (71-71), Redzuan Kamaruddin (70-72).
