Andrew Dodt of Australia maintained his lead in the Bandar Malaysia Open after signing for a four-under-par 68 in the weather-disrupted second round at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club.
Dodt, who opened his campaign with a stunning 63, remained in the driver’s seat after returning with a flawless card highlighted by four birdies for a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 . His overnight two-shot lead, however, was reduced to one by China’s Liu Yanwei, who carded an impressive 65 to lie second in the US$1 million event.
Play was halted for the second time this week at 4.15pm local time due to lightning threats and was later abandoned for the day. A total of 77 players will resume their second rounds at 7.40am on Saturday with the third round scheduled to start not earlier than 11.30am.
The halfway cut is projected to be at one-under-par 143 with the leading 65 professionals and ties progressing into the next two rounds.
“I hit a lot of greens but didn’t hole as many putts as I did yesterday. All in all, it’s a solid day’s work,” said Dodt. “I haven’t been playing well before this week so I just wanted to throw it up a bit and just play the game. I’ve done that so far and I’m happy to be in a good position with two more days to go.”
The 34-year-old claimed his third Asian Tour title at last year’s Sarawak Championship, which was his first event after a three-month injury layoff.
Asian Development Tour graduate Trevor Simsby of the United States marked the lowest round of the day when he fired a superb 64 to lie in joint third place on 11-under-par with compatriot Jarin Todd. Korea’s Charlie Wi, winner of the Malaysian Open in 2006, soared with an eagle-birdie-birdie finish to be in fifth place on his own on nine-under-par.
Danny Chia (Photo by Masuti Ahmadi)
The Malaysian challenge was led by veteran Danny Chia and Ben Leong, who both carded 70 to lie in joint 25th place on four-under-par. Amateur Timothy Lo Tien Ming shot 70 to move up to T53 place on two-under-par.
Chia was happy with the way he played as he has been struggling with injuries the past year.
“It was a bit of an up-and-down round today; I had some really good plays and some really bad shots. But overall I’m still very happy with the way I played,” said the 47-year-old, who is the only Malaysian to win twice on the Asian Tour.
The Bandar Malaysia Open is the flagship event of the Malaysian Golf Association and is making a return after a four-year hiatus. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour, the tournament features 47 Malaysians comprising 37 professionals and 10 amateurs. No Malaysian has won the tournament since its inception.
Leading Round 2 Scores
131 – Andrew Dodt (AUS) 63-68.
132 – Liu Yanwei (CHN) 67-65.
133 – Jarin Todd (USA) 67-66, Trevor Simsby (USA) 69-64.
135 – Charlie Wi (KOR) 69-66.
136 – Wade Ormsby (AUS) 71-65.
137 – Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 66-71, Sarit Suwannarut (THA) 71-66, Bio Kim (KOR) 71-66.
138 – Hiroshi Iwata (JPN) 68-70.
139 – Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 66-73, Eunshin Park (KOR) 68-71, Hein Sithu (MYN) 70-69, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 69-70, Sunil Jung (CAN) 74-65.
