Puchong: Sukree Othman blitzed to a course record of nine-under-par 63 to seize the halfway lead at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) I&P Kinrara Classic on Thursday.
Sukree’s card of nine birdies proved unbeatable on the day at Kinrara Golf Club as the PGM Kelantan Classic winner opened up a two-shot advantage on overnight leader Nicholas Fung, who could managed a round of 69 to slip to second with a two-day total of ten-under-par 134.
It was also a good day at the office for Danny Chia, whose round of seven-under 65 today saw him advance from tied-18th position yesterday to sole third after 36 holes. Khor Kheng Hwai (71) was a further shot back while Nicholas Pua carded his second round in the red to round up the top five on 141.
The two-time PGM Tour winner enjoyed a hot start with three birdies on the trot from the 10th before draining a further two birdies to make the turn on 31. A further four birdies on the front nine saw him coast to a twelve-under 132 overall and overhaul Fung at the top of the leaderboard.
“It took me some time to get used to my new putter as this is only my second tournament using it. I’m feeling much more comfortable with the feel and conditions are perfect for scoring,” said the 35-year old, who admitted that he came into the tournament feeling under the weather but managed to discover his scoring touch.
“I was five-under at the turn and was beginning to feel really good about my game. I had a couple of chances but I was happy to add four more birdies to my card,” shared Sukree, who finished tied second at the tournament last year after conceding a double bogey on the finishing hole.
A bogey on the third was the only blemish for Fung, who remains very much in contention. “I am quite happy with my game today, it’s just that birdies were a bit hard to come by,” said the Sabahan lad.
A flawless opening nine of six-under-par put Chia in the right frame of mind and the 40-year-old traded two further birdies with a bogey on the back nine to come home five shots behind the leader. “I’m happy with the number but I do wish I could have avoided that bogey [on the 18th]. I pulled my tee-shot to the left and could get an up-and-down at the end,” explained Chia.
A total of fifty players made the cut, which came at seven-over 151. Notable players who failed to advance into the final two rounds include the only lady professional in the field, Ainil Johani Bakar, who carded a total of 15-over 159 (79-80) and reigning champion, Mohd Iylia Jamil, whose continued struggle with his form this year saw him post rounds of 73 and 81 to make an early exit.
Leading second round scores
132 – Sukree Othman 69-63
134 – Nicholas Fung 65-69
137 – Danny Chia 72-65
140 – Khor Kheng Hwai 69-71
141 – Nicholas Pua 70-71
142 – Shaaban Hussin 71-71, Md Rashid Ismail 71-71, Ben Leong, 73-70
143 – P. Gunasegaran 73-70, M. Sasidaran 72-71, Mohd Iszaimi Ismail 71-72
144 – Mohd Amli 76-68, Airil Rizman Zahari 75-69, Haziq Hamizan 75-69, Akhmal Tarmizee 73-71, R. Nachimuthu 72-72, Dinata Abdillah 72-72, Mohd Azman Basharuddin 70-74
