Rawang: Berry Henson of the United States posted a two-under-par 70 in windy conditions to maintain his lead in the second round of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) UMW Templer Park Masters on Thursday.
Henson, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation, totalled eight-under-par 136 to lead by one over Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, who also returned with a 70 at the Templer Park Country Club.
Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader James Bowen of the United States and Michael Tran of Vietnam shared third position, shooting a 70 and 71 respectively to trail Henson by three shots at the RM200,000 (approximately US$65,000) event.
Henson, who has won once on the ADT, was one-over at the turn but recovered with four birdies against one bogey on his homeward nine to preserve his overnight lead.
“It was windy and it was difficult to predict where the wind was blowing. On my last three holes, the wind kind of died and that’s when I birdied seven and eight,” said the American, who started from the 10th tee.
Henson enjoyed a sensational rookie season in 2011 where he won his first ADT title before going on to earn a superb breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the 2011 ICTSI Philippine Open.
“When I won on the ADT, it gave me the confidence to win on the Asian Tour. Any experience you can get out of here will only help you in the future. This week, I’m also playing for world ranking points, which is important to any professional player,” said Henson.
Reigning PGM Tour merit champion winner Fung rode on a hot putter to stay in touch with the leader after sinking two birdies on 17 and 18.
“It was very windy and I misjudged the wind. Thankfully, I managed to get a lot of up-and-downs. I was struggling with my irons because of the wind but my putting saved me. I hope I can remain consistent in the next two days,” said the bespectacled Sabahan.
The halfway cut was set at five-over-par 149 with 54 players advancing to the final two rounds.
Leading second round scores
136 – Berry Henson (USA) 66-70
137 – Nicholas Fung 67-70
139 – James Bowen (USA) 69-70, Michael Tran (VIE) 68-71
140 – Steve Lewton (ENG) 67-73
141 – Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 72-69, Shaaban Hussin 67-74
142 – Michael Moore (AUS) 68-74, David Lutterus (AUS) 72-70, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 71-71, M. Sasidaran 71-71, Mitsuhiko Hashizume (JPN) 73-69
143 – S. Murthy 71-72, Mohamad Azman Basharudin 70-73, Sukree Othman 72-71, Lindsay Renolds (CAN) 69-74, Wolmer Murillo (VEN) 70-73, Adam Blyth (AUS) 73-70
