Georgetown [PENANG]: A performance built on controlled aggression and confidence saw Sasidaran Muthiah seize the first round lead at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Penang Championship on Wednesday.
Having shown flashes of good form recently as he bids for a maiden win on the flourishing domestic circuit, Sasidaran shot an opening day six-under 66 to lead by a single shot from Iylia Jamil at the Penang Golf Club.
Seasoned campaigner Nachimuthu Ramasamy was a further shot back in third alongside Kenneth De Silva with Thailand’s Ronnachai Jamnong of Thailand and Lion Goh returning with matching 69s to sit joint fifth in the RM180,000 ASEAN PGA tournament.
Due to heavy rain fall in the morning, the players only got off the starting blocks at 11.00am. Play was then suspended again at 12.10pm before resuming at 2.04pm. Despite the long day, Sasidaran played with a calm demeanor, mixing seven birdies with a single bogey in difficult playing conditions.
“I played well again today,” he said. “But I need to play like this consistently. I have had a few good rounds recently that helped to be near the top of the leaderboard. What I need to do now is stay there (near or at the top) by playing consistently well. I felt fine today. I hit the ball good and solid, and I putted well too,” said the 38-year-old
Likewise, Iylia was happy with his flawless start, highlighted by three birdies in a row from the third hole. “I have been playing well recently, although I have not won anything,” he said.
“A lot of that has to do with the hard work I’m putting into practice. Not doing anything different but just practicing more with a plan to get better. Hopefully I can continue like this through the week – this is a good start,” said the one-time winner on Tour.
Leading first round scores (Par-72)>
66 – M. Sasidaran
67 – Iylia Jamil
68 – R. Nachimuthu, Kenneth De Silva
69 – Lion Goh, Ronnachai Jamnong (THA)
70 – Tony Lam, Nicholas Fung, Wilson Choo, Low Khai Jei (A), Mohd Sukree Othman
71 – Nattawat Suvajanakorn (THA), Mohd Amli Mohd Mohayideen, Khor Kheng Hwai
