Shah Alam [SELANGOR]: Local hotshot Ben Leong rode on a hot putter to sign for a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 and lead by one shot in the opening round of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Northport Championship on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Malaysian took advantage of the near-perfect greens as he fired eight birdies at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club’s Garden Course.
Scotland’s James Byrne and Filipino Jay Bayron carded matching 65s to share second place while Asian Tour winner Steve Lewton of England posted a 66 to take fourth place on his own at the RM200,000 (approximately US$44,600) Asian Development Tour (ADT) co-sanctioned event.
American Blake Snyder, who won the event two years ago, returned with a 68 to stay four shots off the pace in fifth place alongside local prospect Jeremiah Kim Leunkwang, Singapore’s Quincy Quek, Thai duo Itthipat Burantanyarat and Pannakorn Uthaipas.
Order of Merit leader Brett Munson of the United States closed with three straight birdies to tie in 17th place on 70 while defending champion Gavin Green of Malaysia recorded a 73 for tied-71st position.
Leading first round scores (Par-72) >
64 – BEN LEONG
65 – James Byrne (SCO), Jay Bayron (PHI)
66 – Steve Lewton (ENG)
68 – Blake Snyder (USA), Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA), JEREMIAH KIM LEUN KWANG, Pannakorn Uthaipas (THA), Quincy Quek (SIN)
69 – Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (THA), Mathiam Keyser (RSA), Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA), LAM YU SHUEN, Nicolas Paez (USA), John Michael O’Toole (USA), LOW KHAI JEI
Leong, an eight-time winner on flourishing domestic circuit, was pleased to get off to a strong start where he navigated his way around the course with only 25 putts.
“The greens are soft and that makes it easier for me when I played in the morning. Putting was the key to my low score. It is always the key to a good round. The longest putt I holed today was a 20-footer on 14,” noted the Sabahan.
Leong had sensationally claimed five straight victories on his domestic Tour at the end of last season before regaining his Asian Tour card at the 2017 Qualifying School in January, where he came in fourth.
“I have been sticking to my routines. I am not thinking too much on my golf actually. I am just focusing on my physical fitness now. I am happy with the way I started and I look forward to the next round,” he added. ~ Asian Development Tour
