Kota Kinabalu: Sabahan star Nicholas Fung bounced back strongly with a flawless second round six-under 65 to lie four strokes adrift of halfway leader Mardan Mamat of Singapore at the Sabah Masters on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, who is the hot favourite to top the ASEAN PGA Tour money after the US$75,000 season-finale this week, drained three birdies either side of the turn at Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club to haul himself back into contention with a five-under 137 total.
Despite two bogeys on his opening back nine, seasoned campaigner Mardan Mamat continued from where he left off yesterday, returning with a strong five-under 66 to take a solid three-shot cushion over Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna into tomorrow’s third round.
Thailand’s Somkiat Srisanga was a further shot back alongside Nicholas while another Malaysian S. Sivachandhran (68) completed the top five with a three-under 139.
National amateur Muhd Arie Fauzi Ahmad Fauzi is putting together an impressive tournament – the 22-year-old who is contemplating to turn professional in 2013, took solo possession of seventh place on one-under.
The other amateur to advance past the halfway cut which came at nine-over 151 was local junior Solomon Emilio Rosidin, who followed his opening round effort of 73 with a four-over 75.
Nicholas had a fair share of one putts as he looks to cap off a brilliant 2012 season with a second Order of Merit victory on the back of winning the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) money list.
“Yesterday, I was really cautious with my putting as I was still getting used to the really firm and fast greens here unlike in Kinrara last week. But today, I got the feel for the greens, took my chances really well and finishes strongly which was very important,” said Nicholas.
Evergreen Mamat started the day in a tie for the lead with Lascuna but took control of the event with another confident display. “You need to keep your ball in the fairway off the tee here and that is one of the things I do well. It is hard to stop the ball on the greens so you need a good lie for approach shots.”
The experienced Singaporean number one last played in the Sabah Masters in 1999 when it was last played at Sutera Harbour before being revived in 2011 by the ASEAN PGA and the Sabah Tourism Board.
“I am a veteran, not a senior yet. The key for me these days is to enjoy playing. I don’t hit it as far as the young guys but there is a lot more to the game than that,” added the two-time ASEAN PGA Tour winner.
Lascuna, a perennial runner-up on the regional tour, made three birdies and dropped one shot. “I played well and am quite happy but Mardan will be hard to catch,” said Lascuna, who was last month crowned the Players’ Player of the Year in his domestic ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.
Leading second round scores
133 – Mamat Mardan (SIN) 67-66
136 – Antonia Lascuna (PHI) 67-69
137 – Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 69-68, Nicholas Fung 72-65
139 – S. Sivachandhran 71-68
140 – Rufino Bayron (PHI) 70-70
141 – Muhd Arie Irawan Ahmad Fauzi (a) 73-68
142 – Pasavee Lertvilai (THA) 71-71, Marvin Dumandan (PHI) 70-72, Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 70-72, Danny Chia 69-73, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 73-69, Anthony Fernando (PHI) 72-70
