Thailand catapult to top after carding 17-under yesterday

KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand jumped ahead of first round joint leader, New Zealand to take the lead after Day Two of the Nomura Cup 2017 currently underway at the Sungai Long Golf & Country Club.

Thailand finished 17under-par 199 yesterday, contributed by Sadom Keawkanjana and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai who each returned with 6-under-par 66 and Kosuke Hamamoto with 5-under-par 67 while fourth player Kammalas Namuangruk only managed even-par 72 yesterday.

“I made a small mistake on the back nine at hole 13 where I made a bogey,” said Sadom Keawkanjana of Thailand.

“Though I didn’t make any mistakes on the front nine but my putting was better on the back nine with five birdies.”

“The course was superb and in immaculate condition. It was a pleasure to play in a course designed by the Golden Bear (Jack Nicklaus),” added Sadom.

South Korea cruised to second place after finishing strong with 11-under-par 205 for 20-under-par 412 twoday tournament total, nine strokes behind the leader. South Korea was represented by Kyubeom Jun (70, 67-137), Dong-Min Kim (70, 67-137), Seung – Bo Jang (75, 66 - 141) and Chan-Min Jung (69, 73 – 142).

Conducted by the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA), the Asia Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Nomura Cup is a 72-hole stroke play event being played on the par-72, 6,991yard Jack Nicklaus Course at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club.

The 92-player field features top male amateurs from Australia, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, China, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Kyrgysztan and host Malaysia who are members of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation.

Regarded as one of the most prestigious amateur golf team championships in the region, the Nomura Cup is often regarded as the final benchmark for top amateur players contemplating their next move in the game. Often, it serves as the ultimate checkpoint for these players before setting on their journey in the paid ranks.

Malaysian Afif Fathi continued to play steady with 1-under-par 71 yesterday to finish 5-under-par 139 two-day tournament total. Rhaasrikanesh who carded 1-over-par 73 yesterday, returned with even-par 72 to contribute to the overall team score.

Team Captain, Chan Tuck Soon played 1-stroke better yesterday with 1-over-par 73. Afif Razif who scored 2under-par 70 Friday, only managed to card 3-over-par 75 for 1-over-par 145 two-day total.

Malaysia dropped five places to finish 12th after Round Two of the Nomura Cup after carding 211, 216 for 427 two-day tournament total.

“I made two bogeys and two birdies on the front nine and another birdie on the back nine,” said Afif Fathi. “Instead of wondering what I could do better today, I will focus instead on the next rounds of the Championship.”

Kazuya Osawa of Japan led the 92-player field with 10-under-par 134 (67, 67).

Third-round tee times for the 28th Nomura Cup at Kuala Lumpur will run from 7.3010.05am off the first and 10th tees at the Sungai Long Golf & Country Club Jack Nicklaus course. - Bernama