RAWANG [Selangor]: National amateur Nur Durriyah Damian got her campaign at the 32nd Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open (MLAO) off to a flying start with a round of two-under 70 on Tuesday.
Durriyah, who is part of the national line-up for the 28th South East Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore next month, traded three birdies against a single bogey to open up a commanding three-shot advantage at Templer Park Country Club.
Trailing her are Filipina Pauline De Rosario and Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri of Indonesia, who returned with matching 73s.
Malaysian number one Genevieve Ling was among five players bunched a further stroke back in joint fourth.
Despite struggling with a skin ailment in recent weeks, Durriyah proved why she is still regarded as one of country’s best lady amateurs with a fine opening effort.
She turned in with a level-par 36, before notching two birdies in a flawless back nine display, including a 20-footer on the 17th to give herself a handsome advantage.
“I haven’t played a tournament in a month but despite that, I managed to put together a really good round. I was able to execute some good iron shots out there today and the putts dropped. I didn’t know what to expect ahead of the tournament but I definitely want to build on this performance,” said the 20-year-old, who will be making her third consecutive SEA Games appearance in Singapore.
“The Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open is one of those major titles still missing from my resume and hopefully, I can etch my name on the trophy,” added Durriyah.
Pauline on the other hand, rued an unlucky day on the greens as she failed to recover from an early blip.
“I didn’t have the best of starts with a double bogey on the third hole. The greens were pretty tough to read and I could have putted much better. But anything can happen in golf and the plan is to make up as much ground as possible tomorrow,” added the 16-year-old.
Leading first round scores (Par-72)
Malaysian unless stated
70 – Nur Durriyah Damian
73 – Pauline Del Rosario (PHI), Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri (INA)
74 – May OO Khine (MYA), Michelle Cheung (HKG), Genevieve Ling, Geraldine Wong Xiao Xuan, Wen Yung Keh (NZL)
75 – Mun Chin Keh (NZL), Victoria Fricot (AUS), Julliane Del Puerto Alvarez (NZL)
76 – Ashley Lau, Amanda Tan (SIN), Inez Beatrice Wanamarta (INA), Loy Hee Ying
77 – Vanessa Bouvet (FRA), Rivani Adelia Sihotang (INA), Yuri Okada (JPN), Michela Tjan Sakti Effendie (INA),
78 – Hillferah Tan, Abegail Arevalo (PHI), Samantha Makhala Foley (AUS), Paphada Wongwaikuphaisal (THA), Kim Joo Yeon (KOR), Warda Amira Rawof, Samantha Martirez (PHI)
80 – Yin May Myo (MYA), Koh Sock Hwee (SIN)