Towering Belgian Thomas Pieters shot a 69 in today’s second round to take pole position at the halfway stage of the Maybank Championship.
A three-time European Tour winner, Pieters lies on eight-under-par at Saujana Golf & Country Club’s Palm Course. The 27-year-old holds a one-shot lead over first round joint leader Nacho Elvira of Spain and unheralded Indonesian Danny Masrin.
“I struggled off the tee early on, at the end it was a lot better. It didn’t feel like a good day to me – I made the best of what I had. I gave myself a lot of chances but I couldn’t seem to get the ball in the hole,” said Pieters, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall.
Playing on an ASEAN ticket, Masrin shot a superb 68 to put himself in contention for his biggest win against some of the world’s best players.
“I’m very grateful to Maybank for extending this invitation to me as one of the five ASEAN invites. The Maybank Championship is an event I’ve always wanted to be a part of and I’m very grateful for this opportunity. Hopefully I can make Indonesia proud this week,” said the 26-year-old.
2016 champion Marcus Fraser of Australia, who jointly led after the first day, tumbled down the leaderboard after struggling to a 77 and is in joint 30th place on two-under-par.
Nicholas Fung continued to lead the Malaysian challenge despite a second round 73, five shots off the pace in joint 22nd place on three-under-par. The country’s top player Gavin Green meanwhile did well to make the halfway cut of even par, thanks to three birdies in his final nine holes for a second round 70.
From 13 who started, Fung and Green are the only Malaysians left in the field.
Defending champion Shubhankar Sharma of India is still in contention on five-under-par after signing in a second round 68.
Leading Round 2 Scores:
136 – Thomas Pieters (BEL) 67-69.
137 – Danny Masrin (INA) 69-68, Nacho Elvira (ESP) 65-72.
138 – Paul Peterson (USA) 70-68, Lucas Herbert (AUS) 69-69, Maximilian Kieffer (GER) 71-67, Ernie Els (RSA) 68-70, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 66-72, David Lipsky (USA) 72-66, Dean Burmester (RSA) 68-70.
