Jakarta [Indonesia]: Nicholas Fung and Shaaban Hussin continued their impressive form by shooting matching five-under-par 66s to stay two shots off the lead after the opening round at the Indonesia Open on Thursday.
Fung picked another win on home soil last week and his confidence spilled over at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event when he traded seven birdies against two bogeys at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course.
Shaaban was equally impressive following his fifth place result on the local tour last week as he posted six birdies, five of which came on the easier back nine, against one bogey to trail Gaganjeet Bhullar, who leads on 64.
The talented Fung, the current Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader, surprised even himself when he turned in 32 after holing a 20-footer birdie putt on the challenging par three 15th hole.
“The par three 15th hole was my best birdie. I hit my four-iron which landed short of the flag but I sand my birdie putt,” smiled the bespectacled Sabahan.
“To be honest, I wanted to shoot even-par on the back nine but I did well there instead! The front nine was much easier compared to the back but I’m glad that I started so well.”
Fung has enjoyed a good season so far where he finished tied fifth at the Resorts World Manila Masters two weeks ago for his best Asian Tour finish. He has also been dominant on the Malaysian golf scene, winning four titles on the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour including one ADT victory, to virtually seal his place as the top ranked golfer in the country for the second successive year.
“I have a lot of confidence coming into this week. I’m hitting the ball so well but only my putting has let me down. That wasn’t the case today as my short iron and my putting pulled my game up,” said the 23-year-old.
Playing in his seventh Asian Tour event this season, Shaaban took advantage on the rather calm morning conditions at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course.
“We were lucky because we didn’t get much wind in the morning. It was kind of easy to score,” said Shaaban.
“I’ve been playing consistently and I’m in pretty good form coming into this week. I finished fifth on the local tour last week. That boosted my confidence. Hopefully I can do better this week,” he added.
Leading first round scores
64 – Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND)
66 – Jazz Janewattananond (THA), Anthony Kang (USA), Mo Joong-kyung (KOR), Nicholas Fung (MAS), Berry Henson (USA), Shaaban Hussin (MAS)
67 – Sam Brazel (AUS), David Lipsky (USA), Sujjan Singh (IND), Prom Meesawat (THA), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Chapchai Nirat (THA)
68 – Kim Gi-whan (KOR), Rory Hie (INA), Zaw Moe (MYN), Chan Kim (USA), Carlos Pigem (ESP), Mardan Mamat (SIN), Lionel Weber (FRA), Chris Rodgers (ENG)
69 – Dodge Kemmer(USA), Kalle Samooja (FIN), Jyoti Randhawa (IND), Chawalit Plaphol (THA), Kwanchai Tannin (THA), Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA), David Lutterus (AUS), Alex Cejka (GER)
