SINGAPORE: Three Malaysians advanced into the weekend of the tenth anniversary edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship as Philippines’ Lloyd Jefferson Go and 2015 champion Jin Cheng of China secured a share of the halfway lead on Friday.
UCLA freshman Bryan Teoh Wiyang showed glimpses of his immense talent, sinking a 50-foot birdie putt on the last to sign for a one-under 69 at the Sentosa Golf Club’s New Tanjong tract.
It left the 18-year-old debutant in a share of 23rd on one-under 139 – comfortably inside the halfway cut that came at six-over.
Ervin Chang secured a “breakthrough of his own” – a one-under 69 of his own – ensuring the country’s top-ranked amateur survived the cut for the first time in third appearances.
A further shot back was Muhd Afif Mohd Razif – the Universiti Utara Malaysia standout ruing a luckless run on the slick greens, returning a 72 for a two-over total.
It was however, the end of the road, for Chan Tuck Soon (+6) – in what looks likely to be his eighth and final appearance and rookie Muhd Afif Mohd Fathi (+10)
At the top end of the competition,  Cheng and Go shot matching rounds of three-under-par 67 to open a slender one-shot lead on eight-under-par 132.
Korea’s Ha Jin-Bo (67) and China’s Bai Zheng Kai (67) are tied in third place at seven-under.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, the highest-ranked Asian amateur in the world at #10, made his move with a four-under-par 66 round to move to a tie for fifth place at six-under alongside compatriot K.K. Limbhasut.
The AAC champion earns invitations to next year’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National and The 148th Open at Royal Portrush, provided he retains his amateur status. The runner(s)-up will gain a spot in The Open Qualifying Series.
