Petaling Jaya: Local hope Shaaban Hussin fired back-to-back eagles for an opening three-under-par 68 and joint fifth place at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters on Thursday.
The slender Malaysian nailed his first eagle from three feet on the fifth hole before brilliantly chipping in at the next hole to stay within touching distance of leader and playing partner Anirban Lahiri of India at the RM1.3 million (approximately US$410,000) Asian Tour event.
The 33-year-old Shaaban, four shots off the pace, was flying after his stunning eagles but came back down to earth when an overzealous drive on the seventh hole led to a double bogey.
“Happy to shoot two eagles, which was unbelievable. On the fifth, I hit an eight iron to about three feet and then I chipped it in on the next hole from the edge of the green. But on seven, I made a double. I was thinking of trying for my third eagle!” said Shaaban.
“I could have played better as my putting didn’t work for me. On four holes, I missed five foot putts for par. And then I missed a short birdie putt on 18 as well. But I’m still happy that I put in a good score.”
Playing on his home course, Shaaban was delighted to play his way back into contention following his close brush with the Selangor Masters title in the 2009 edition. He was in the penultimate group on the last day before settling for tied 11th place.
“Playing on my home course is an advantage. I didn’t hit it too good today but wherever I missed it, I knew how to try to get it up and down for pars. I know where to put the ball on the green to have an easier putt. But sometimes, it doesn’t work but it’s okay,” he explained.
Sukree Othman and Md Iylia Jamil were the next best Malaysians after shooting 70s for tied 21st place, followed by Khor Kheng Hwai who was level par for the round. Former Selangor Masters champion Ben Leong fought to a 72 while national number one Nicholas Fung carded a 73.
MEANWHILE, 27-year-old Lahiri, currently second on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, sank 10 birdies against three bogeys to put himself in prime position for a second win of the season.
The in-form Indian, who finished tied fourth in Taipei last weekend and was runner-up here last season, was delighted with his blistering start. “I’m really happy with how I played. I got off to a good start and made a couple of good putts. It could have been even better. I missed some short putts but I hit it really good,” said Lahiri, who is a four-time Tour winner.
“I have a lot of positive energy coming into this week, having finished second here last year. It tells you that you can do it. I’ve figured out how to play on this golf course so it helps when you’ve played here a few times.”
Leading first round scores:
64 – Anirbhan Lahiri (IND)
66 – SSP Chowrasia (IND), Chan Yih-shin (TPE)
67 – Hung Chien-yao (TPE)
68 – Cameron Smith (AUS), Adam Groom (AUS), Mathiam Keyser (RSA), Sattaya Supupramai (THA), SHAABAN HUSSIN (MAS), Chapchai Nirat (THA)
Other notable Malaysians:
70 – Sukree Othman, Iylia Jamil
71 – Khor Kheng Hwai
72 – Ben Leong, Abel Tam, Kenneth De Silva, Zurie Harun, Mohd Azman Basharudin
73 – Hans Jamil, Mohd Rizal Amin, Airil Rizman Zahari, Arie Irawan, Nicholas Fung
