Port Dickson [NEGERI SEMBILAN]: Nicholas Fung ground out a solid three-under 68 in punishing conditions to push himself to the top at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Port Dickson Championship on Thursday.
Early morning showers delayed second round proceedings by an hour and half before the players got underway at a drenched Port Dickson Golf & Country Club.
The reigning Order of Merit champion traded five birdies with two bogeys to total seven-under 135 and sit two shots clear of newly-minted professionals Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz and Amir Nazrin Jailani.
The former national stablemates, returned with rounds of 68 and 70 respectively, to stay within sight of their first win on the paid ranks.
Seasoned campaigner Nachimuthu Ramasamy slipped a stroke back with a one-over 72 while Ben Leong (70) lurked close behind alongside Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain (72) on 139.
Leading second round scores (Par-71)
135 – Nicholas Fung 67-68
137 – Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz 69-68, Amir Nazrin Jailani 67-70
138 – Nachimuthu Ramasamy 66-72
139 – Ben Leong 69-70, Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain 67-72
140 – Abel Tam 72-68, Brandon Lau 69-71, Kenneth De Silva 69-71, Sukree Othman 68-72
141 – Danny Chia 73-68, Shahriffuddin Ariffin 72-69, Hans Jamil 71-70, Jeremiah Kim Leun Kwang 70-71, Wafiyuddin Abdul Manaf 66-75
Fung stayed on course for a record 16th victory on the burgeoning professional circuit and the 26-year-old was happy to overcome an errant driver with a strong short game display.
“I didn’t get off to the start I wanted. Maybe it was the weather delay but felt a bit rusty going out. Driving hasn’t been on cue the last two days but my iron play kept me going and I was able to capitalise on my solid short game to return with a decent result,” he noted.
Starting on the 10th tee, the Sabahan shared that his birdie on the 18th proved crucial as it allowed him to make the turn on even-par. He fired three birdies on the front nine – including a 20-foot monster putt on the eighth – to carry a slim lead into Friday’s third round.
“I wanted to stop the rot after bogeys on 14th and 16th and almost reached the green in two on the 18th. Up-and-down for a birdie, which was important for my confidence. I knew I could go low coming home and I finished strongly with back-to-back birdies,” added Fung.
When asked about his third round playing partners – both professionals in their teens, Fung had this to say: “These young kids are really good and they’re keeping us – the established professionals – on our toes. I’m excited to play with the future stars of our Tour tomorrow and hopely, I’ll come out on tops.”
