Johor Bahru: Current Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader R. Nachimuthu and promising youngster Jeremiah Kim topped the local contingent as Chinese Taipei’s Huang Tao made a spirited start at the RM180,000 (approximately US$60,000) Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Johor Masters.
Fresh from his victory at the Clearwater Classic, Nachimuthu opened his campaign with a round of one-under 71 to take a share of sixth alongside Australia’s Blair Wilson, Englishmen Yasin Ali and Grant Jackson as well as Kim, four strokes behind Huang at the Johor Country Club..
The 21-year-old Taipei native posted a score of five-under 67 to open up a solid three-shot cushion over Masaki Sakata of Japan, Michael Bibat of the Philippines, Thailand’s Varut Chomchalam, Australian Luke Bleumink and Liu Min-yu of Chinese Taipei.
Huang, who turned professional last year, credited his solid iron play as he returned with seven birdies against two bogeys. “My second shot really pulled my game up. I’m quite happy with how I played but I need to stay focus in the next three rounds,” said Huang, who has won two titles in Chinese Taipei.
“Honestly there was no highlight for me because all my birdies came from within 10 feet. I’m just happy to be playing like how I did,” he added.
Filipino Bibat was delighted to bounce back into form as he mixed his card with three birdies against one bogey for an opening round 70. “It was a bad 2011 season for me because I wasn’t playing well so I’m happy with my score. This is a very tough golf course because you must plan your shots well. I feel that I’m slowly getting my confidence back and that’s a good sign,” said the 27-year-old.
The PGM Johor Masters is the second event to be co-sanctioned by the ADT and the burgeoning domestic circuit. The top three players on the Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn their Asian Tour cards for 2013.
Leading first round scores
67 – Huang Tao (TPE)
70 – Masaki Sakata (JPN), Michael Bibat (PHI), Varut Chomchalam (THA), Luke Bleumink (AUS), Liu Min-Yu (TPE)
71 – Blair Wilson, Jeremiah Kim (MAS), Yasin Ali (ENG), Grant Jackson (ENG), R. Nachimuthu (MAS)
72 – Anis Helmi Hassan (MAS), Choengchai Panpumpo (THA), Charles Hong (PHI), Jhonnel Ababa (PHI), Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA), Kim Ji-hoon (KOR), Peter Richardson (ENG), M.Sasidaran (MAS), Daniel Owen (ENG), Wang Tsung-chieh (TPE)
