Kuala Lumpur: Louis Oosthuizen reinforced his title credentials at the Maybank Malaysian Open by taking the halfway lead after the weather-delayed second round concluded this morning.
The 29-year-old South African returned early to complete his remaining six holes of the second round with two more birdies, posting a brilliant four-under 68 for a 10-under-par total to lead compatriots Hennie Otto and Jbe Kruger as well as Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher (68) by one stroke.
A further shot adrift on eight-under 136 was Frenchman Romain Wattel, who carded a second consecutive 68 to take sole possession of fifth placing going into the third round at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
The duo of David Lipsky and 2010 PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer were tied for sixth with India’s Jyoti Randhawa, Jeev Milkha Singh (73) as well as Danny Willett. Ben Fox (68) and Rhys Davies (68) bunched up on 138.
Shaaban Hussin was the sole Malaysian to survive the halfway mark which came at even-par 144, battling to an even-par 72 for a two-day haul of two-under 142 to take a share of 38th.
But the attention was on the 2010 Open Championship victor Oosthuizen, who has looked in mighty form to build on his runner-up finish at The Masters Tournament last week by claiming his fifth European Tour title in Kuala Lumpur this week.
“It’s always going to be at the back of your mind,” he said, about his dramatic playoff defeat to Bubba Watson at Augusta National. Once you’re on the golf course, you don’t think about anything, You just think about the game on the day. It’s difficult sitting wherever in the clubhouse and they are showing the highlights of last week. It’s a week which I want to forget. I just want to focus on this week,” he added.
Despite having travelled halfway across the world for the event, Oosthuizen was adapting nicely to the challenging West Course set-up after two rounds. “I like the golf course. I didn’t play very well las year but it’s a good tract. Course is looking really good, even if the greens are quite grainy and not as fast as Augusta. I’m glad I’ve been able to adapt quickly and there a lot of birdie opportunities remaining out there,” shared the player.
Round three will resume at 1140, with a two tee-start looped draw (leaders teeing off last from the first tee and those on the cutline last from the 10th tee).
Leading second round scores
-10 Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 66-68
-9 Hennie Otto (RSA) 71-64 , Jbe Kruger (RSA) 70-65, Stephen Gallacher(SCO) 67-68
-8 Romain Wattel (FRA) 68-68
-7 David Lipsky (USA) 70-67, Martin Kaymer (GER) 70-67
-6 Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 66-72, Danny Willett (ENG) 69-69, Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 65-73, Ben Fox (USA) 70-68, Rhys Davies (WAL) 70-68
