SENAI (JOHOR), 14 AUGUST 2024 – A three-and-a-half-hour rain delay failed to dampen Paul San’s spirits as he carved his way to a commendable five-under 67 and a 137 two-day aggregate to jointly lead the Supra Cup with Jeremiah Kim Leun Kwang at the Palm Resort GCC today.
Joining San and Kim in the final grouping tomorrow is Syahiran Syakir whose three-under 69 placed him three shots behind the leaders. Also at four-under 140 is Edven Ying who could only manage a 72.
Bunched at three-under in joint fifth are Danial Faidz, Daeng Abdul Rahman and Kenneth De Silva. Fakhrul Akmal’s five birdies, an eagle and a bogey gave him a six-under 66 for the low round of the tournament so far. He is bunched in eighth position with Hui Yong Shern, Danny Chia and Galven Green who had his older brother Gavin following him on the back nine.
San took the news in his stride, when told after his last hole that he is leading the tournament. “I’m just glad to be able to give my best, no matter where I’m standing,” he said. Kim meanwhile was a bit thankful for the rain delay, as he had struggled on his front nine with two birdies and two bogeys.
When the players returned to the course, Kim dropped one more stroke on the par 4 13th. He then straightened himself and birdied the last three holes for a fighting two-under 70. “Waiting for three hours and 35 minutes is no fun, but I guess it helped me re-focus and to lead the tournament with 18 more holes to play is not a bad thing.”
The Supra Cup is the sixth leg of the Toyota Tour that is organised by the Professional Golf Malaysia and delivered by MST Golf.
In the Ladies Championship, Winnie Ng who had a seven-shot lead overnight, gave herself a big fright when she found herself six-over after 15 holes. “I didn’t know what I was playing. It was like I was floating and maybe thinking too much about going low. But I’m proud I managed to fight back with birdies in my final three holes.”
Ng, who is 2-under for the championship at 142, takes a six-shot advantage over Qistina Balqis going into tomorrow’s final round. She had a birdie and three bogeys in her opening nine and her inward nine was like a roller coaster comprising four birdies, three bogeys and a double. The lone par was on the long par 4 14th.
Joining Ng and Qistina in the final grouping is Geraldine Wong who mustered a one-over 73 for a two-day 149 aggregate. Aretha Pan and Jocelyn sit at joint fourth at 150 while Michelle Koh struggled to a six-over 78 and is a further two strokes back.
The Allamanda Course is onof three championship layouts at Palm Resort, the other two being the Cempaka and the Melati. The Ronald Fream-designed Allamanda stretches out to 6,866 yards and boasts numerous water hazards, sand traps and rolling fairways that add to its adventure.
Leading Rd 2 scores
137 Paul San 70-67, Jeremiah Kim Leun Kwang 67-70
140 Syahiran Syakir 71-69, Edven Ying 68-72
141 Danial Faidz 70-71, Daeng Abdul Rahman 71-70, Kenneth De Silva 71-70
142 Hui Yong Sherng 70-72, Fakhrul Akmal 76-66, Danny Chia 73-69, Galven Green 70-72
Ladies
142 Winnie Ng (am) 67-75
148 Qistina Balqis 75-73
149 Geraldine Wong 76-73
150 Jocelyn Chee 76-74, Aretha Pan 78-76
152 Michelle Koh 74-78