Kajang: Aspiring professional Kenneth De Silva stormed to the top of the Professional of Golf Malaysia Qualifying School leaderboard today after a masterful second round 66, underlining his potential as he moves up to the paid ranks this year.
The 21-year-old former national amateur, who has been granted a release by the Malaysian Golf Association, notched seven birdies against a sole bogey for the day to open up a three-stroke lead over first round leader Gavin Kyle Green, who lost some of his early momentum after a 73 today at the Impian Golf & Country Club.
Rookie professional Low Khai Loon maintained his consistent performance, matching his opening round of 72 for a two-day total of even-par 144 while 16-year-old Muhammad Azry Asyraf Noor Azam improved to fourth overall with a round of 71. Amateur Mohd Hisyam Majid and newly-minted professional Jeremiah Kim were the biggest movers on the day, carding similar rounds of one-under 71 to three-over and five-over respectively for the three-day qualifying event for the 2012 PGM Tour season, which ends tomorrow.
Kenneth was notably glad after shooting one of his best rounds in the New Year. “One of my best rounds,“ said Kenneth. “I hope it will get better tomorrow,” said the budding professional.
A total of 28 players are currently better off or on level par of the qualifying mark, which has been set at 15-over-par 231, with a daily average of 77. Participants who meet the mark will earn full playing right on the 2012 PGM Tour season, joining the top 50 players from the 2011 Order of Merit at the season-opener at PGM Harvard Classic from January 11-14.
Leading second round scores
138 Kenneth De Silva 72-66
141 Gavin Kyle Green (A) 68-73
144 Low Khai Loon 72-72
145 Muhammad Azry Asyraf Noor Azam 74-71
146 John Pang 74-72
147 Mohd Hisyam Majid (A)76-71
148 Aminudin Ahmad 75-73, Jamaluddin Bador 75-73
149 Jeremiah Kim 78-71
150 Shawn Liew 76-74, Daniel Ng (A) 74-76
151 Mohd Rizam Ali 74-77
152 Jamal Otoh (A) 80-72, Wan Arizal 80-72, Adam Shafiq (A) 79-73, Iqbal Yusof (A) 76-76, Mohd Shanizam Mohagi (A) 76-76, Lam Yu Shuen (A) 75-77
154 Damian Chin (A) 77-77, Jonathan Wong (81-73)
