Beng Kiat
Sarawak’s Lim Beng Kiat showed his mettle on the second day of the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open Golf 2016 to share the lead at the end of an exhilarating round which saw yesterday’s leader faltering under pressure.
MGA’s Muhammad Afif Muhd Fathi, who had blazed the fairway on the first day of competition with a blistering 68, seemed a little hazed under hazy conditions when he could muster a one-under 71 for a two day total of 139.
His five-under total could not prevent Beng Kiat from closing the gap as the Sarawakian kept his nerves in check to card in two-under 70 on the day for a two-day total of 139.
Afif admitted afterwards that failure to stave off the building pressure led to his disappointing round.
“There was no birdie in the front nine although I controlled the ball well getting into the green. I managed to recover my composure somewhat going into the back and it gave me three birdies which saved my game,” added Afif.
“Of course I am aiming to keep my position going into the final day tomorrow although I know that I have to get out of my comfort zone and not take things too easy especially after a fabulous first round.”
While Afif ponder on how to make things right for tomorrow’s third and final round, Beng Keat could not be more than pleased with his performance on the day which has allowed him to close in on the crown.
Starting the day on three below par Beng Kiat, who missed a birdie on the 17th had to be content with the day’s 70.
“My second shot is much better today when compared to yesterday although my putting is still not where it should be,” added Beng Kiat.
“I have played here twice before so by right I should be in a better frame of mind. For tomorrow, I just want to concentrate on tackling one hole at a time insteading of focusing on the leadership board.”
In the meantime in the women’s division, MGA’s Qistina Balqis Azhar and Nursyazani Amalia Shahzan still maintained their stranglehold of the lead with a two-day total of 142 and 147 respectively.
While Qistina (main pix) managed to repeat her first day’s performance of one-under 71 to stay top, she nevertheless felt that she could have done better if she had kept her game temperament in check.
“It was not a very bad day considering that I had a birdie at the first nine. But the whole day long, I felt that I was playing under pressure and failed to control my game. I was more worried about maintaining my position and that turned out to be quite costly,” added Qistina.
“For tomorrow, I have to maintain focus on the game. That will be the priority’.”
On the other hand, Syazana improved her second-placed position with a one-over 73 to add to the 74 which she carded the previous day.
Third place is Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser of Selangor who also scored a one-over 73 for a two-day total of 151 after 36 holes.
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES
BOYS
139 Muhammad Afif Muhd Fathi (MGA) 68 71
139 Lim Beng Keat (SARAWAK) 69 70
142 Khavish Verman Varadan (MGA) 72 70
142 Daeng Abdul Rahman (MGA) 70 72
145 Galven Kendall Green (MGA) 72 73
145 Lee Chong Li (JOHOR) 74 71
146 Benjamin Yeap (SELANGOR) 71 75
148 Chan Kai Zhane (KEDAH) 74 74
149 Sheikh Abdul Razak (K. LUMPUR) 74 75
151 Tommy Tan (SINGAPURA) 72 79
152 Zia Izzuddeen Abdul Rashid (SELANGOR) 81 71
152 Zubair Firdaus (K. LUMPUR) 76 76
GIRLS
142 Qistina Balqis Azhar (MGA) 71 71
147 Nur Syazani Amalia Shahzan (MGA) 74 73
151 Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser (SELANGOR) 78 73
155 Jocelyn Chee Yi Min (KEDAH) 84 71
158 Vinishah Gunaseelan (K. LUMPUR) 81 77
158 Liyana Durisic (SELANGOR) 79 79
159 Megan Lee Zehui (K. LUMPUR) 80 79
159 Aykary Whynn Htun (MYANMAR) 78 81
159 Angel Hii (SARAWAK) 78 81
160 Allycia Gan Phiek Wen (SELANGOR) 82 78
