Subang: United States-based national Gavin Kyle Green underlined his reputation as the country’s top amateur as he catapulted to the halfway lead at the DRB-Hicom Malaysian Amateur Open.
Green, who returned back home after a successful freshman year at the University of New Mexico, produced a flawless display of tee-to-green excellence with a seven-under-par 65 at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club on Friday to lead Thailand’s Poom Saksansin (71) by three strokes.
A second consecutive 71 helped India’s Khalin H Joshi to take a share of third alongside another local challenger Chan Tuck Soon (72) and overnight leader Oliver Goss of Australia, who slipped back after a poor two-over 74. The Indonesian duo of Jordan Surya Irawan and Rinaldi Adiyandono were prompt up in fourth on one-under-par 143 ahead of Arie Irawan Ahmad Fauzi, who battled to his second consecutive 72 today.
Green’s impressive display also helped Malaysia clinch the international team event, as the stocky 18-year-old partnered with Arie for a two-day total of 281 to beat their regional rivals Indonesia (represented by Jordan and Rinaldi) as well as the Thai combination of Poom and Natipong Srithong, by five strokes.
Starting on the tenth, Green got off to a perfect start, birdieing the opening ninth hole before draining another on the 16th to make the turn on 34. Three birdies in as many holes on the back nine saw him take over the lead for the first time before two further gains on the closing stretch saw him coast ahead of his competitors despite still feeling the effects of jetlag.
“Definitely pleased with my performance. I don’t think I was expecting a seven-under-par today but I didn’t commit that many mistakes today and got lucky with my up-and-downs,” shared Green, who made a total of 26 putts on the day.
“Obviously, I’m not thinking about winning yet but just going to play my game again tomorrow and see how it sets me up for the final 18 holes [on Sunday]. The course is playing a little hard and they’re some pretty good breaks out there, so it’s going to be fun going out in the last flight tomorrow,” he added.
A total of 63 players, including 30 Malaysians, advanced into the weekend rounds with the halfway cut coming at 16-over-par 160.
Leading second round scores (Malaysians unless stated)
137 – Gavin Kyle Green 72-65
140 – Poom Saksansin (THA) 69-71
142 – Khalin H Joshi (IND)71-71; Chan Tuck Soon 70-72; Oliver Goss (AUS) 68-74
143 – Jordan Surya Irawan (INA) 72-71; Rinaldi Adiyandono (INA) 70-73
144 – Arie Irawan Ahmad Fauzi 72-72
145 – Md Dulal Hossain (BAN) 74-71; Paul San 72-73
