Subang: Sukree Othman will have his hands full as he attempts to convert a slim advantage into victory at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) UMW Glenmarie Classic.
Sukree returned early on Wednesday morning to complete his second round and saw his three-shot lead shrink to a single stroke with a round of two-over 74 at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.
The 35-year-old then followed it with a round of two-under 70 in the afternoon to remain one stroke clear of current Order of Merit leader Nicholas Fung (70) in the RM130,000 penultimate event with a 54-hole overall of six-under 210.
M. Sasidaran put his recent struggles behind him, carding the round’s best of four-under 68 to remain third on a 211 total, three shots ahead of reigning money list winner R. Nachimuthu (75). Danny Chia was sole fifth on 219 after a second consecutive 74 as players struggled to post reasonable scores in the intense heat, with 46 players making the halfway cut which came at 12-over 156.
Sukree had to dig deep into his reserves to stay ahead of his younger compatriot with both players involved in four-way battle royale for the Order of Merit crown.
“I was struggling in the beginning and towards the end where I missed a few greens but luckily my putting was okay. I made three birdies and two bogeys on the front and bogey-free on the back nine with a birdie at the last hole,” shared Sukree, who lies fourth on the burgeoning domestic circuit’s Merit list.
Fung admitted that he must play better tomorrow to prevent Sukree from claiming his fourth PGM title of the season. “I missed a lot of fairways today but managed to save pars. I was drawing the ball left for most of the round but I glad that my putting saved the day, there were no three putts,” shared the PGM Negeri Sembilan Classic winner.
Leading third round scores
210 – Sukree Othman 66-74-70
211 – Nicholas Fung 71-70-70
214 – M. Sasidaran 69-77-68
217 – R. Nachimuthu 70-72-75
219 – Danny Chia 71-74-74
220 – Wilson Choo 72-77-71
221 – Airil Rizman Zahari 74-75-72
222 – S. Sivachandhran 74-77-71, Khor Kheng Hwai 74-75-73, Anis Helmi Hassan 76-70-76