Subang: A heavy thunderstorm disrupted play at the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open with Malaysia’s Jeremiah Kim still in contention to take home the boys’ overall crown. Jeremiah, who carded a three-under 67 yesterday, was four-over for the day with five holes to play.
Dottie Ardina of the Philippines, who was five-under yesterday, dropped a stroke today, but she too has not finished her round.
A heavy thunderstorm at 1.45pm caused havoc with the scheduling as only one flight managed to finish their round before play was halted. The golfers kept their scorecards and play will resume at 7.30am tomorrow.
The cut-off for the third and final round has been set at 50 per cent of the number of participants in each of the three categories – Under-18, Under-16 and Under-14.
“I didn’t play too well today but I hope to make up for it when play resumes tomorrow,” said Jeremiah, who is trying to impress the national selectors who will name their squad to the SEA Games very soon.
One person who doesn’t have to worry about the SEA Games is Dottie, who is already assured of boarding the plane to Indonesia for the SEA Games. The 17-year-old has already been selected to represent her country at the biennial regional games and it this knowledge which is giving her the edge in Saujana’s famous Palm Course.
“It is good to know that I have already secured my spot in the team for the SEA Games in November,” said Dottie.” There is less pressure on me to perform and I can go out there and give it my all. I finished fourth in the individual event at the Laos SEA Games two years ago and this time, I will try to earn a medal of any colour, although it would be good to get the gold!
“I’m delighted with the way I’ve been playing in Malaysia and in particular the Palm Course. I played here five years ago and it is as daunting now as it was back then. Nonetheless, I feel the course suits my game and I hope to continue my good form until the last day to take home the title.”
If Dottie does win the overall crown tomorrow, she will be the third Filipina to emerge as the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open champion. Chihiro Ikeda was the first to do so in 2007 with Sarah Ababa lifting the title in Kota Kinabalut last year.
