Malaysia’s Gavin Green continued his dominance at the PGM Bukit Jawi Championship by firing a second round five-under-par 67 to grab the outright lead on Thursday.
Green, who had earlier taken a share of the overnight lead, signed for a two-day total of 10-under-par 134 to establish a two-shot advantage over compatriots Ben Leong and R. Nachimuthu who carded a 69 and 65 respectively at the RM200,000 (approximately US$46,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
Malaysia’s Low Khai Jei posted a 70 to take fourth place while the country’s number one golfer Danny Chia signed for a 67 to share fifth place with India’s Feroz Singh Garewal as well as Baxter Reeves and Johannes Veerman of the United States.
After setting the early pace with an opening 67 at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resorts, Green resumed his charge with a flawless outward 33 which was highlighted by three successive birdies starting from the fourth hole.
He picked up another gain on 11 before dropping his only shot of the day on 15. The Malaysian would however storm home convincingly by closing with birdies on 17 and 18.
“I hit the ball okay today and my routine was pretty similar to yesterday. I was especially pleased with those two closing birdies as those were really long putts which I managed to hole.
“All in all, it was another good day and I’m very pleased with my play especially my short game,” said Green.
Having been beset by a back injury in recent years, Leong, a one-time Asian Tour winner, is pleased those injury-laden days are now a distant memory.
He has already tasted success with two wins on the domestic circuit last year and remains on course for his maiden ADT victory.
Starting on the back-nine 10, Leong opened with a birdie before a double-bogey six on 11 pegged him back momentary.
He recovered quickly with birdies on 16 and 17 before dropping another shot on the second hole.
The 30-year-old then soared towards the top of the leaderboard by firing an eagle and another birdie in his closing four holes.
“Golf’s a funny game. There are the good days and bad days. Fortunately, today’s one of the better days for me.
“I told myself to stay in the present and not get too far ahead of myself each time I hit a shot. That seemed to work out well for me,” said Leong.
The ADT, which was inaugurated in 2010 as the gateway to the premier Asian Tour, will continue to reward the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2017.
Like all other ADT events, the PGM Bukit Jawi Championship will offer OWGR points, which will be key for players vying to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this August.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com
Leading second round scores
134 Gavin GREEN (MAS) 67-67
136 Ben LEONG (MAS) 67-69, R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 71-65
137 LOW Khai Jei (MAS) 67-70
138 Baxter REEVES (USA) 71-67, Johannes VEERMAN (USA)68-70, Danny CHIA (MAS)71-67, Feroz Singh GAREWAL (IND) 68-70
139 Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 67-72, Nick SHERWOOD (USA) 70-69, KOH Deng Shan (SIN) 71-68, Mohamad Azman BASHARUDIN (MAS) 71-68
140 Tawit POLTHAI (THA) 71-69, Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 73-67, KHOR Kheng Hwai (MAS) 68-72, Sukree OTHMAN (MAS) 71-69, Lindsay RENOLDS (CAN) 69-71
