Jawi [PENANG]: Local sensation Gavin Kyle Green continued his dominance at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Bukit Jawi Championship with a second consecutive five-under-par 67 to grab the outright lead on Thursday.
The joint overnight leader signed for a two-day total of 10-under-par 134 to establish a two-shot advantage over compatriots Ben Leong and R. Nachimuthu who carded a 69 and 65 respectively at the RM200,000 (approximately US$46,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
Former national Low Khai Jei posted a 70 to take fourth place while the country’s number one golfer Danny Chia signed for a 67 to share fifth place with India’s Feroz Singh Garewal as well as Baxter Reeves and Johannes Veerman of the United States.
After setting the early pace with an opening 67 at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort, Green resumed his charge with a flawless outward 33 which was highlighted by three successive birdies starting from the fourth hole.
He picked up another gain on the 11th before dropping his only shot of the day on 15th. The Malaysian would however storm home convincingly by closing with birdies on 17th and 18th.
“I hit the ball okay today and my routine was pretty similar to yesterday. I was especially pleased with those two closing birdies as those were really long putts which I managed to hole.
“All in all, it was another good day and I’m very pleased with my play especially my short game,” said Green.
Having been beset by a back injury in recent years, Leong, a one-time Asian Tour winner, is pleased those injury-laden days are now a distant memory.
He has already tasted success with two wins on the domestic circuit last year and remains on course for his maiden ADT victory.
Starting on tenth tee, Leong opened with a birdie before a double-bogey six on the 11th pegged him back momentarily.
He recovered quickly with birdies on 16th and 17th before dropping another shot on the second hole.
The 30-year-old then soared towards the top of the leaderboard by firing an eagle and another birdie in his closing four holes.
“Golf’s a funny game. There are the good days and bad days. Fortunately, today’s one of the better days for me.
“I told myself to stay in the present and not get too far ahead of myself each time I hit a shot. That seemed to work out well for me,” said Leong.
Leading second round scores (Par-72) >
Malaysian unless stated
134 – GAVIN KYLE GREEN 67-67
136 – BEN LEONG 67-69, NACHIMUTHU RAMASAMY 71-65
137 – LOW KHAI JEI 67-70
138 – Baxter Reeves (USA) 71-67, Johannes Veerman (USA) 68-70, DANNY CHIA 71-67, Feroz Singh Garewal (IND) 68-70
139 – Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA) 67-72, Nick Sherwood (USA) 70-69, Koh Dengshan (SIN) 71-68, MOHAMAD AZMAN BASHARUDIN 71-68
140 – Tawit Polthai (THA) 71-69, NICHOLAS FUNG 73-67, KHOR KHENG HWAI 68-72, SUKREE OTHMAN 71-69, Lindsay Renolds (CAN) 69-71
