Subang: Living up to his favourite tag, Malaysia’s Jeremiah Kim opened his campaign at the 100PLus Malaysia Junior Open with a solid three-under 69 at the Saujana Golf & Country Club today. The 17-year-old is three ahead of Indonesia’s Joshua Andrew Wirawan in the overall competition and six strokes ahead of Kow Eiki in the boys’ under-18 division.

Low Khai Jei, who won Malaysia’s first ever individual title at last week’s Lion City Cup, blew up with an opening four-over 76 on the opening day to lie eighth overall and fifth in the boys’ under-16 category.

In the girls’ competition, Dotti Ardina of the Philippines fired a sizzling five-under 67 to lead the girls’ Under-18 and overall competitions. Malaysia’s Nur Durriyah Damian is five strokes behind in the overall standings.

“I was on a high after winning in Hong Kong last week and thought I would be able to continue my fine form on my home ground,” said Khai Jei. “I had problems with my irons today and I hope to sort it out tomorrow. I know the course well I’m quite confident of posting a good score in the second round. “It won’t be easy to make up the deficit but I reckon I can close the gap over the next two days.

“The last two overall champions have come from the Under-16 division so it is obviously a difficult group to be in I just have to keep my head down and try to get as many birdies as possible over the next two days.”

Dottie, meanwhile, said she is confident of winning the title after a confident round. “I like the course. It is challenging but I think it suits my game quite well,” said the 17-year-old Filipino. “I think I have a good lead and need to remain focus if I’m to clinch the title.”

In the overall team event, India lead with a score of 150, two ahead of Malaysia with Indonesia third on 158.

Results (Malaysian unless stated)
Team event
150: India
152: Malaysia
158: Indonesia

Boys

Overall
69: Jeremiah Kim
72: Joshua Andrew Wirawan (Indonesia), Muhammad Azry Asyraf Noor Azam
74: Albright Chong

Under-18
69: Jeremiah Kim
75: Kow Eiki (Indonesia)
77: Trishul Chinappa (India)

Under-16
72: Joshua Andrew Wirawan (Indonesia), Muhammad Azry Asyraf Noor Azam
75: Muhammad Afif Razif
76: Malcolm Adam Tay

Under-14
74: Albright Chong
77: Danial Mohd Sidek
78: Amir Nazrin Jailani

Girls

Overall
67: Dottie Ardina (Philippines)
72: Nur Durriyah Damian
73: Aditi Ashok (India)

Under-18
67: Dottie Ardina (Philippines)
76: Sarah Ababa (Philippines)
78: Yong Mei Khuan

Under-16
72: Nur Durriyah Damian
75: Sarfina Vinota Seretharan
79: Genevieve Ling

Under-14
73: Aditi Ashok (India)
75: Loy Hee Ying
77: Daniela Uy (Philippines)