Kajang, Selangor: R. Nachimuthu sounded a clear warning to any pretenders with design of relieving him of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Order of Merit by taking the opening round lead at the PGM-Maybank Tour Players’ Championship on Wednesday.
The reigning champion, who is also defending his title at the RM300,000 season-finale at Impian Golf & Country Club, registered a faultless five-under 67 to steer two shots clear of rising star Mohd Hafiy Afiq Suhaili and former national Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari.
In-form Nicholas Fung, who leads the Money list by less than RM20,000 from Nachi, returned with a mixed card and needed two late birdies for an opening 70 to lie three strokes behind alongside fellow Merit contender Airil Rizman Zahari as well as S. Murthy, Kenneth De Silva, Lim Eng Seng, S. Sivachandhran and Daniel Ng.
Seasoned professionals Danny Chia and Shaaban Hussin, who come under Maybank’s sponsorship banner, were among nine players on one-under 71.
Unperturbed by the wet conditions, Nachi got off to a solid start with two birdies on the front nine before adding three further birdies in his closing five holes to push himself ahead of the pack.
“It was great start, I can ask for more than a bogey-free round. Ball striking was good and I converted my short putts for birdies. The fairways were a bit wet, so I was a little more cautious on the long par-fives but otherwise, I was able to play my normal game” shared the 41-year-old.
“Definitely, got myself into a rhythm and I’m feeling pretty confident with myself. I know I have to do my part and hope that results go in my favour. A victory here will definitely motivate to seek bigger challenges next year,” he added.
Leading first round scores
67 – R. Nachimuthu
69 – Hafiy Afiq Suhaili, Akhmal Tarmizee
70 – Airil Rizman Zahari, S. Murthy, Kenneth De Silva, Lim Eng Seng, Nicholas Fung, S. Sivachandhran, Daniel Ng
71 -Danny Chia, Nazri Majid, Md Rashid Ismail, Khor Kheng Hwai, Shaaban Hussin, Nicholas Pua, Anis Helmi Hassan, Irfan Mohd Yusoff, Sofian Kepli
