
Pengkalan Chepa: S. Murthy took a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Kelantan Classic on Monday.
The 4x-year-old, who has yet to record a victory on the burgeoning domestic circuit in 2013, shot a five-under 67 to lead from Haziq Hamizan at a sun-baked Kelantan Golf & Country Club. Zamri Sariff came around with a three-under 69 to take third place, ahead of Shaaban Hussin, Dinata Abdillah, Lim Eng Seng and Airil Rizman, who carded matching two-under 70s.
Seven others including last year’s runner-up and local favourite Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain and Tour rookie Muhd Arie Fauzi Ahmad Irawan were tied for eighth place on 71.
Murthy drained seven birdies, erasing dropped shots on the first and 17th, to get his campaign at the RM150,000 event off to a great start.
“I hit the ball solid today and I made a few nice putts that counted in bringing me home in five-under. The course is in good shape, the weather was beautiful and that helped me create opportunities for birdies.
“My aim now is just to carry on playing like this and hopefully on the fourth day it will be the same. If that is the case, then I should have a chance of winning here,” said the two-time PGM Tour winner.
Haziq on the other hand is hoping to maintain his composure as he looks to go one better than his runner-up finish at the Clearwater Classic in March.
“It’s still early days but I strung together a good round, especially on the back nine when I had four birdies and except for the bogey on 16th, I can’t complain,” said the 25-year-old former national, who is still looking to for his breakthrough win on the paid ranks.
Leading first round scores
67 – S. Murthy
68 – Haziq Hamizan
69 – Zamri Sariff
70 – Shaaban Hussin, Dinata Abdillah, Lim Eng Seng, Airil Rizman
71 – Lam Yu Shuen, Arie Fauzi, Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain, S. Sivachandhran, Tommy Chin, Khor Kheng Hwai, Sukree Othman, Kenneth Tobuse