Malaysia’s Amir Nazrin Jailani is taking the quiet confident approach into the final day tomorrow of the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf and Country Club.
Amir still leads the boys’ standing on the penultimate stage of the foremost junior golfing event in the country despite carding a drab one-over 73 on the day for a two-day total of 144, following yesterday’s one-under.
“The course was soggy with mud getting to the ball and there were also some mistakes today with judging the distance,” said Amir, who had won the tournament back in 2013.
“The results were not too bad – one under and one over after two days. It’s fine, it’s okay.
“Still looking to enjoy tomorrow and try not look at the score. The game plan will remain the same.”
The 18-year-old Amir will be playing in his last
tournament this year and his hopes of a second crown will not be easy as his nearest challengers have all improved going into the final day tomorrow.
While compatriot Sazanur Iman Salenin, who was sharing the lead with Amir yesterday, slipped to a two-over 74 to remain second while Mohd Firdaus Kassim who was third yesterday, fell down to tenth with a poor 79 on the day.
On third was Japan’s Genki Okada with a two day total of 146.
The biggest mover on the day was Ekpharit Wu of Thailand who shot a one-under 71 to add to his previous day’s 79 for 150 going into the final.
In the meantime in the girl’s division, Riovani Adelia Sihotang of Indonesia took the chance to grab the lead where her consistency allowed her to amass 148 from an identical 74 over the two days.
With previous day’s leader Kim Joo Yeon of South Korea ballooning to a poor 81 from two-under 70 on the first day, the question is on whether Riovani can maintain her nerves going into the final round.
“I have to do better tomorrow obviously and keep an eye out on Eliana (Ariffin from Malaysia) and also Jee Yeon,” added Riovani, who finished third at the KL Amateur Open last week.
“The course is really challenging, so I really have to think well how to approach every hole.”
After the second day of competition, Malaysia’s Raeysha Surendran and also Nur Eliana are on the same 151 alongside Joo Yeon of South Korea.
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES
BOYS
144 Amir Nazrin Jailani (MAS) 71 73
145 Sazanur Iman Salenin (MAS) 71 74
146 Genki Okada (JPN) 75 71
147 Muhammad Afif Mohd Fathi (MAS) 76 71
148 Rhaasikhanesh Kanavathi (MAS) 76 72
148 Albright Chong Ming Soon (MAS) 75 73
150 Ekpharit Wu (THA) 79 71
150 Ervin Chang (MAS) 74 76
151 Naraajie Emerald Ramadhanputra (IND) 74 77
151 Muhammad Firdaus Kassim (MAS) 72 79
GIRLS
148 Rivani Adelia Sihotang (IDN) 74 74
151 Raeysha Surendran (MAS) 75 76 ,
151 Nur Eliana Ariffin (MAS) 73 78
151 Kim Joo Yeon (KOR) 70 81 151 +7
152 Pimnipa Panthong 5 G1 (THA) 76 76
152 Winnie Ng Yu Xuan MAS) 74 78
153 Harmi Nicole Constantino (PHI) 76 77
157 Natasha Andrea Oon (MAS) 80 77
158 Junie Khaw Wen Jun (MAS) 79 79
158 Kelie Kan Kah Yan (MAS) 78 80
The 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Golf Open and also the 100PLUS National Junior Badminton Circuit are among the several youth programmes and competitions supported by 100PLUS, Malaysia’s leading isotonic beverage.
The others include the Minister of Education League Cup and also the 100PLUS Super Cup. 100PLUS is recommended by the National Sports Council.
