Kuala Rompin: Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain shot a brilliant second round six-under 66 to seize the halfway lead at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) PNB Lanjut Classic.

The Kelantanese lad jumped up the leaderboard with a two-day total of 10-under-par 134 to lead the field by two shots at the RM125,00 tournament held at Lanjut  Lanjut Golden Beach & Golf Resort. Overnight leader Airil Rizman Zahari came back with two-under 70 to slip to second, one shot ahead of reigning Order of Merit champion R. Nachimuthu (70).

Defending champion S. Murthy shot a second straight three-under 69 today to stay in contention alongside Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari while youngsters Muhammad Alwarith Damian and Kenneth Tobuse continued to make great progress, taking a share of seventh on 139.

Nazri, who has taken a while to get over his final round collapse at the PGM Kelantan Classic earlier this year, got into stride early on with three straight opening birdies before carding the first of only two bogeys on the day. His hot putter continued to deliver the goods as he moved forward with four consecutive birdies midway through the round.

“I’ve learned a lot since that event in Kota Bharu. But I definitely feel that my game and my temperament is back now. I am playing well and hopefully, I can take confidence from that,” said Nazri, admitting that he hasn’t changed anything about his game since he surrendered a six-stroke advantage to eventual winner Sukree Othman in his home event.

A total of forty nine players, including three amateurs made the halfway cut which came at 10-over 154.

Leading second round scores:
134 – Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain (68-66)
136 – Airil Rizman Zahari (66-70)
137 – R. Nachimuthu (67-70)
138 – S. Murthy (69-69), Akhmal Tarmizee (67-71)
139 – Muhd Alwarith Damian (71-68), Kenneth Tobuse (70-69)
141 – Zurie Harun (71-70), M. Sasidaran (69-72)
142 – Khor Kheng Hwai (72-70), P. Gunasegaran (70-72)