Kangar (PERLIS): Rookie Abel Tam leads a Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour event for the first time in his young career after climbing to the top of the Perlis Championship.

The 22-year-old former national, who joined the paid ranks in March, shot a disciplined 69 to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the RM160,000 championship.

With a long list of seasoned campaigners representing the country at Prudential Causeway Trophy in Singapore  this week, Mohamad Rizal Amin, Wilson Choo, Kim Leun Kwang settled for second spot on 70, while in-from Airil Rizman was fifth, another stroke back.

Happy with his start in Perlis, Tam said: “I hit the ball solid today and made a couple of decent putts.

“I started well, posting three birdies over the first four holes and on my ninth hole (18th) made another birdie to make the turn in four-under. But on the second nine I made a few mistakes and the course got back at me. But, still, I am happy with where I am as I feel I’m still learning the ropes on Tour and while I’m enjoying it, I’m also gaining experience,” said Tam.

“Hopefully I can carry with playing solidly like how I did today and build on it. But I’m not disillusioned because I know there are good and experienced players in the field who are equally keen on winning,” he added.

Leading first round scores
69 – Abel Tam
70 – Mohamad Rizal Amin, Wilson Choo, Kim Leun Kwang
71 – Airil Rizman Zahari
72 – Dino Abdillah
73 – Aizat Kasim, R. Nachimuthu, Keegan Kam, Farhan Syarif
74 – M. Sasidaran, Ben Leong, Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain