Kota Kinabalu: R. Nachimuthu took full advantage of overnight leaders Nicholas Fung and S. Sivachandhran’s slip to sneak into the halfway lead at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Sabah Classic on Thursday.
The reigning Order of Merit champion posted an even-par 72 to lead defending champion Fung by one shot with two-day total of two-under 142 in the RM200,000 event held at Sabah Golf & Country Club.
Zamri Sharif, who mas making his first start on the burgeoning domestic season this year, shot a three-under 69 to take a share of third alongside Siva, whose two trips to hazard saw him card a disappointing 76 and drop two shots off the pace.
Rookie Azman Basharuddin mixed five birdies against a single bogey en-route to a brilliant five-under 67 for a two-over 146 total, alongside with Mohd Rizal Amin and Kalana Ibrahim.
Leading second round scores (A denotes amateur)
142 R. Nachimuthu 70-72
143 Nicholas Fung 68-75
144 Zamri Sharif 75-69 ; S. Sivachandhran 68-76
146 Azman Basharuddin 79-67; Mohd Rizal Amin 75-71; Kalana Ibrahim 71-75
147 Khor Kheng Hwai 75-72; Kenneth Tobuse 75-72; M. Sasidaran; Haziq Hamizan 72-75
148 Chan Soo Keong 77-71; Mohd Rizam Ali 76-72; Zurie Harun 73-75
149 Anis Helmi Hassan 76-73; C.M. Chong 76-73; Airil Rizman 76-73; Wilson Choo 74-75; Lam Shu Yuen 73-76; Solomon Rosidin (A) 72-77