Dodt stays one clear at Bandar Malaysia Open

Mike Casper|The ClubHouse
Andrew Dodt

Shah Alam [SELANGOR]: Multiple tour winner Andrew Dodt of Australia continued his bogey-free run by signing for a second-round four-under-par 68 to stay atop the leaderboard at the weather-disrupted Bandar Malaysia Open on Friday.

Dodt, who opened his campaign with a stunning 63, remained in the driver’s seat after returning with a flawless card highlighted by four birdies for a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 at the highly rated Kota Permai Golf & Country Club.

His overnight two-shot lead, however, was reduced to one by China’s Liu Yanwei, who carded an impressive 65 to take second place in the US$1 million event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

“It’s hard to back up a 63 but I did with a 68 today, pretty solid. I hit a lot of greens but didn’t hole as many putts as I did yesterday. But all in all, it’s a solid day’s work,” said Dodt, who triumphed in the Sarawak Championship last August.

“I’ve done that so far and happy to be in a good position with two more days to go. I’m just going to have fun, keep things simple and stay relaxed which is what I have done. Nothing’s changed, he added.”

Asian Development Tour graduate Trevor Simsby of the United States marked the lowest round of the day when he fired a solid 64 to trail by two shots in third place with compatriot Jarin Todd, who posted a 66.

Danny Chia ©Mike Casper|The ClubHouse

National stalwarts Danny Chia and Ben Leong are the leading Malaysians, tied on four-under-par 140. Chia carded an identical two-under par from yesterday to lie nine shots adrift but was delighted to comfortably advance into the weekend.

“I’m happy with where I stand now. I putted well and I hit a lot of good shots, got some unlucky breaks, can’t complain much. Like I said before, if I can go through four rounds without any pain in my body, I will accept any score,” said the veteran 47-year-old.

“For the weekend, I’ll go more for pin hunting. The last two days I was a bit too conservative with my iron shot, playing away from the pin quite a few times,” shared Chia.

Play was halted for the second time this week at 4:15PM local time due to lightning threats. It was later abandoned for the day at 6.00PM.

A total of 77 players will resume their second rounds at 7:40AM on Saturday with the third round scheduled to start not earlier than 11.30AM.

The halfway cut is projected to be at one-under-par 143 with the leading 65 players and ties progressing into the next two rounds.