Ayer Keroh (MELAKA): Promising professional Iylia Jamil shot a three-under 69 to take the halfway lead in the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) ASEAN PGA Melaka Championship on Thursday.

The 23-year-old totalled five-under 139 to give himself a one-stroke cushion over compatriots Lam Yu Shuen (69) and Airil Rizman (70) at Ayer Keroh Country Club.

Overnight leader Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand stumbled to a two-over 74 to find himself tied for fourth place on three-under 141, alongside his compatriot Panuphol Pittayarat (70) and local Mohd Sukree Othman (70).

Despite topping the leaderboard at the halfway stage for a second time in as many weeks, Ilyia said he would endeavour to keep in the right frame of mind as he bids to win a first title on the PGM Tour since his winning on his debut at Kinrara in 2011.

“I played reasonably well today,” he said. “But it is far from over and I have to concentrate on keeping everything in focus as we move into the third and fourth rounds, which has been my stumbling block.”

“The course is holding up despite the wet weather and it is the same for all the players. So I know what I got to do, but I also know that there is a strong field out there, all playing hard to win,” added Iylia.

Leading second round scores (Malaysian unless stated)
139 – Iylia Jamil 70-69
140 – Lam Yu Shuen 71-69, Airil Rizman Zahari 70-70
141 – Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 67-74, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 71-70, Mohd Sukree Othman 71-70
142 – Pravee Visalkit (THA) 70-72
143 – Teerawat Poipong (THA) 70-73, Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 72-71, Nicholas Fung 70-73
144 – Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 73-71, Supravee Phatam 71-73, Hans Jamil 70-74, Kemarol Baharin 76-68, Lim Eng Seng 74-70