Kuala Lumpur: R. Nachimuthu fired a blistering eight-under-par 64 to snatch the first round lead in the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) CCM Impian Masters today.
The 41-year-old local stalwart, who won two titles en route to lifting the PGM Tour Order of Merit title last December, posted a flawless round at Impian Golf and Country Club to lead fellow Malaysian Lim Eng Seng (65) by one stroke in the Asian Development Tour season-opener.
In-form Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat, still fresh from his third Asian Tour victory at the ICTSI Philippine Open last month, and Australian Glenn Joyner carded identical 66s to stay within touch while.
Nachimuthu was delighted to seize the honours on day one as he launched his bid for a first win in 2012 after a quiet start to 2012. “I putted really good and hit a lot of fairways and greens,” hes said. With the lift-and-clean ruling in effect following a morning downpour, Nachimuthu got his iron play working effectively as all his birdies were from inside the 10-feet range.
“The course conditions were good for scoring. I made birdies on all the par fives and all the putts were from within close range. I’m playing against the golf course and I’m not worried about the players in the field. I’m just focusing on my own game,” he said.
Former national Lim also carded a bogey-free round, snaring seven birdies. After turning in 34, his game caught fire with four straight birdies from the 11th hole as he ensured a brilliant start to his campaign.
Mardan and Joyner were also bogey-free as they shot six birdies each while American Dodge Kemmer and England’s Neil Reilly shot 67s for a share of fifth place. Filipino Jay Bayron and Malaysia’s Danny Chia were amongst those bunched on 68.
Leading first round scores
64 – R. Nachimuthu (MAS)
65 – Lim Eng Seng (MAS)
66 – Mardan Mamat (SIN), Glenn Joyner (AUS)
67 – Dodge Kemmer (USA), Neil Reilly (ENG)
68 – Anthony Choat (AUS), Senroku Isa (JPN), Anis Helmi Hassan (MAS), Jay Bayron (PHI), Danny Chia (MAS), Kemarol Baharin (MAS), Gerald Rosales (PHI), Airil Rizman (MAS)
