Alvin Hiew took the first round lead at the RM15,000 Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Development Qualifying School event at Johor Golf & Country Club today.
Leading an amateur one-two at the top of the standings, Hiew shot an opening day one-under-par 71, which gave him a two-stroke edge of Alex Tiong.
Zamri Parian was third with a three-over 75 on a course that the PGM Tour proper used for the Johor Championship last week – an event co-sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour. Marcus Kok Lizhe, Lee Chong Li (A), Zulkifli Nadzri and Wong Tung Ann were joint fourth, another stroke back on 76.
Speaking of the tournament, which forms part of the PGM’s programme to serve as a feeder circuit for the main Tour, Mior Abdul Rahman, PGM General Manager said they were making strides in the right direction.
“These (Development Qualifying School) events, where the participants can earn playing cards for the PGM Tour proper, are part of our programme to develop the sport,” said Mior. “And they play a big role in helping grow the sport.”
There are 12 Development Tour events this year, with some carrying as much as RM25,000. These tournaments are three-days events,
Leading First Round Scores
71 Alvin Hiew (A)
73 Alex Tiong (A)
75 Md Zamri Parian
76 Marcus Kok Lizhe (A), Lee Chong Li (A), Zulkifli Nadzri, Wong Tung Ann
77 Chai Cheng Teck, Shah Irwan Rusli
78 Irfan Syahmi Norshah, Oel Faizal Hassan
79 Aaron Cheong (A)
80 Ng Yau Loong (A)
81 M. Khairullah Munawar (A)
82 Ruhaizad Hashim, Muhd Zafran Abdullah (A)
