BERTAM (PENANG), 9 OCT 2024 – Edven Ying put himself on course for a second Toyota Tour victory when he carded a five-under 67 for the low round of the Alphard Cup tournament so far, taking a slender lead into tomorrow’s final round at the Penang Golf Resort here today.
Ying, winner of the 2023 Vios Cup at Templer Park Country Club has a four-under 140 two-day aggregate and leads Marcus Lim by one stroke. Lurking not far away a further stroke adrift are Hui Yong Sherng, recent Harrier Cup winner Fakhrul Akmal and Fortuner Cup champion Ben Leong. All three are at two-under 142.
Pahang boy Ying attributed his short game as the key to a scorecard which read seven birdies and two bogeys including one at the Par 4 fourth hole which played 484 yards from the back. Unsurprisingly, it was the toughest hole on the 7,143-yard layout.
“My putting was much better today but my iron-play was perhaps only at about 70 per cent,” said the 22-year-old Ying. “I may be leading by only one stroke but it still makes me the leader going into the final round, and I like it. Last year at Templer Park I led by two going into the final round so, yes I am quite confident about tomorrow.”
Fakhrul is capable of going low as shown by his opening nine holes when he shot a six-under 30. It was a remarkable turnaround from his first round when he carded a two-over 38. Today’s round was affected by a three-hour rain delay. It was suspended at 7.54am with two flights each on the first and 10th holes. The round only resumed at 11am with the final flight flagged off at 1pm.
Lim was happy with his game and looking forward to the next 18 holes. He rued a short two-foot putt for birdie on the 9th, his last hole for the day. Lim made his mark by winning the Supra Cup as an amateur last year, defeating Ervin Chang on a one-hole play-off at the Mines Resort & Golf.
Only seven players broke par today while 45 made the cut which was nine-over 153. The Toyota Tour is organised by the Professional Golf Malaysia and delivered by MST Golf.
Zulaikah Nasser put herself in line for a second successive Ladies Championship victory when she carded a four-under 68 to lead nearest challenger Jocelyn Chee by five strokes.
The 22-year-old Zulaikah, who only turned pro in late August, was a recent winner at the Harrier Cup in Kuantan and had a quiet front nine with nine consecutive pars. She came alive on the back nine, with five birdies and a bogey.
“I’m just happy to be in front again in just my second professional event,” said a beaming Zulaikah. “I’m playing well from tee to green and giving myself chances at birdies. I’ll stick to my game plan tomorrow and see how it pans out.”
Geraldine Wong played par golf to share third place with amateur Winnie Ng whose 70 was the second best score among the ladies. Both are seven strokes behind Zulaikah and will have to produce the round of their lives to catch up, with the hope that the leader will fumble at some point.
Leading Rd 2 scores
140 Edven Ying 73-67
141 Marcus Lim 72-69
142 Hui Yong Sherng 74-68, Fakhrul Akmal 74-68, Ben Leong 70-72
143 Malcolm Ting 71-72
144 Wafiyuddin Manaf 73-71, Chan Kai Zhane 70-74, Airil Rizman 73-71
145 Khor Kheng Hwai 70-75
146 Paul San 76-70, Galven Green 72-74
Ladies
140 Zulaikah Nasser 72-68
145 Jocelyn Chee 73-72
147 Geraldine Wong 75-72, Winnie Ng 77-70
148 Aretha Pan 73-75
155 Durriyah Damian 79-76