Kota Kinabalu [SABAH]: Singaporean stalwart Mardan Mamat wielded his putter with authority to pull two shots clear at the halfway stage of the Sabah Masters, amid a flurry of 66s on Thursday.
Mamat, runner-up in 2013, took full advantage of perfect morning conditions at the Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club to reel in six birdies for a five-under 66 – his only blemish of the day coming at the par-four 16.
The 46-year-old stormed home with three birdies in his closing four holes to move to seven-under 135, ahead of Malaysia’s up-and-coming professional Arie Irawan, who shot a 66 of his own.
Japan’s Masaru Takahashi, who is playing on a sponsor’s invite, scaled up the leaderboard with another 66 to take a share of third on three-under 139 alongside Jay Bayron (67) of the Philippines.
Three bogeys around the turn saw Thailand’s Pipatpong Naewsuk drop off the pace, returning with a 72 to settle for sole fourth at the US$100,000 ASEAN PGA Tour Championship.
Taking heed of his mentor’s exploits, Singaporean Koh Dengshan (66) fired six birdies in an impressive back nine display to haul himself into joint sixth on 141 with Malaysians Mohd Sukree Othman (68) and Shaaban Hussin (71).
Fifty-one professionals and one amateur will advance into the final two rounds with the cut coming at eight-over 150.
Starting on the back nine, Mamat traded two birdies and a bogey to make the turn at one-under before turning on the style late on. His highlight of the day came on the par-three eight, when he expertly played an approach shot into the wind and almost holed-out.
“It was important to stay patient out there because I could not build on my advantage early on but fortunately, I got into a stride towards the end of the round and drained back-to-back birdies from the sixth.
“Overall, it was a good round but I need to keep my putting rhythm going if I’m going to have a chance of winning this tournament,” said the three-time ASEAN PGA Tour winner.
Mamat, who is making his third consecutive appearance at the Sabah Masters, noted that the Graham Marsh-designed tract was proving to be a real test to his title ambitions.
“The course is definitely playing a lot harder. While you have a better view of the greens, they are playing really firm and it is not easy to read the lines. You need to stay composed because it’s not easy to roll a putt here, which places a premium on hitting it as close as possible to the pins,” he noted.
Irawan was in inspired form as he snatched five birdies in a flawless display of golf. Three-over after the first nine holes yesterday, the former national now finds himself in contention at this storied championship.
“I just wanted to go out there and keep the momentum going from the strong finish yesterday. I kept it simple – just tried to improve on my ball-striking and keep the ball in play, which was important. Finishing bogey-free was an additional bonus,” said the 24-year-old Tulsa graduate.
Having claimed his professional breakthrough at the domestic Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour Players’ Championship last December, Irawan is determined to maintain his winning habit.
“I went to United States during the off-season to work on my physical conditioning and I can feel the improvement. It’s a tough learning curve out here but winning last month has surely helped with my confidence. I know that I have to post good numbers in the weekend rounds and adjust to playing under the spotlight. I’m relishing the feeling of being in contention and challenging for the title,” shared Irawan.
Leading second round scores (Par-71) >
Malaysians unless stated
135 – Mardan Mamat (SIN) 69-66
137 – Arie Irawan 71-66
139 – Masaru Takahashi (JPN) 73-66, Jay Bayron (PHI) 72-67
140 – Pipatpong Naewsuk (THA) 69-71
141 – Mohd Sukree Othman 73-68, Dengshan Koh (SIN) 75-66, Shaaban Hussin 70-71
142 – Ratchapol Jantavara (THA) 70-72, Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 69-73, Solomon Emilio Rosidin 70-72
143 – Joeh Seik (INA -Am) 72-71, Lim Eng Seng 72-71, Nicholas Pua 73-70, Natthapong Niyomchon (THA) 74-69, Song Gyu Yoo (KOR) 72-71, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 70-73, Airil Rizman Zahari 69-74, Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 72-71, Ben Leong 74-69
