Alor Gajah: Front runner S. Murthy conquered a bumpy start to cling on for the halfway lead at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) ASEAN A’Famosa Masters on Thursday.
Following his superlative first round effort of nine-under 63, Murthy struggled through his opening nine before battling back gallantly down the homeward stretch to settle for a one-over 73 at A’Famosa Golf Resort.
He totalled eight-under 138 to lead compatriot Khor Kheng Hwai, who carded a 69, by a single stroke. Thailand’s Ratchapol Juntavara was one of the three players who signed for the low round of day – a 67 – to lie third with Mohd Rizal Amin (69) and Mardan Mamat (69) of Singapore.
Four shots clear after the opening round, Murthy stumbled to a four-over 40 over the first nine, surrendering a triple-bogey and another two bogeys against one birdie. But the 42-year-old, who started from the back nine, hit back with a birdie on the fifth and an eagle on the par-five seventh to minimise the damage.
“Conceding a triple bogey on the first hole really affected my concentration and I made a few more costly mistakes. Luckily, I was able to re-group myself over the turn and responded strongly,” said Murthy.
“I was not really thinking about the lead during my round today. I was really out there just trying to post a reasonable score and I can thank my luck stars to still have a slim lead after that forgettable opening nine,” said the relieved veteran, who is hoping to add to his two titles on the burgeoning domestic circuit.
For his part, Ratchapol said he drove the ball well, but lamented a “few blunders” with his putting which cost him the chance of doing even better than his 67.
Leading second round scores (Malaysian unless stated otherwise)
136 – S. Murthy 63-73
137 – Khor Kheng Hwai 68-69
138 – Mohd Rizal Amin 69-69, Ratchapol Juntavara (THA) 71-67, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 69-69
139 – Mohd Sukree Othman 69-70, Anis Helmi Hassan 72-67, Iylia Jamil 1-68
140 – Kenneth De Silva 70-70, R Nachimuthu 73-67
141 – Airil Rizman 69-72, Chirat Jirasuwan (THA) 71-70, Shaifubari Muda 70-71
142 – Zaw Moe (MYA) 71-71 (MYN), P. Gunasegaran 71-71.
