Poom stays ahead in Kinrara

Poom Saksansin ©Arep Kulal|PGM
Poom Saksansin ©Arep Kulal|PGM

Puchong [SELANGOR]:  Young Thai talent Poom Saksansin grabbed the outright lead after shooting a second consecutive three-under-par 67 in the second round of the 54-hole PGM Kinrara Championship on Friday.

The 22-year-old Thai, who held a share of the overnight lead, broke free of the chasing pack with a two-day total of six-under-par 134. He leads by one shot over local duo Shaaban Hussin and Sukree Othman, who carded 66 and 67 respectively, at the Kinrara Golf Club.

Thai duo Pijit Petchkasem (65) and Ronnachai Jamnong (69) shared fourth place with Filipino Mars Pucay (68) and American Josh Salah (68) on 136 at the RM200,000 (approximately US$50,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.

Poom, who turned professional in 2013, took advantage of his sharp-shooting game to cap a flawless round highlighted by three birdies on seventh, 13th and 16th.

“The game’s feeling good. My round was very steady today. I had a few good putts to save par and I gave myself chances for birdies out there. I think my approach shots were key today. I am pleased with how I have played so far,” said Poom, who started his round on 15th.

“The golf course is short and narrow. I just focused on putting the ball on the fairways before hitting it onto the greens. My highlight of the day was the birdie on 13th where I hit an eight-iron from 160 yards which landed three feet from the hole. That was a good finish to my round,” Poom added.

Leading second round scores (Par-70)>
Malaysian unless stated
134 – Poom Saksansin 67-67
135 – Shaaban Hussin 69-66, Sukree Othman 68-67
136 – Ronnachai Jamnong (THA) 67-69, Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 71-65, Josh Salah (USA) 68-68, Mars Pucay (PHI) 68-68
137 – Zamri Sariff 71-66, Malcom Kokocinski (SWE) 70-67, Jordan Sherratt (AUS) 70-67, Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (THA) 68-69, Irfan Yusoff 70-67, Masaru Takahashi (JPN) 68-69
138 – Abel Tam 68-70, Paul Harris (USA) 68-70, Thammanoon Sriroj (THA) 70-68, Janne Kaske (FIN) 68-70, Rizal Amin 71-67