Chia, Sasidaran Keeps Malaysian Hope Alive

Danny Chia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's number one golfer, Danny Chia remained upbeat at the Maybank Malaysian Open held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club after shooting a one-under-par 71 on Friday.

Malaysia's best performer yesterday, M. Sasidaran had a one-over-par 73 to lie alongside Chia on two-under-par 142.

When met after completing his second round, Chia admitted that he needed to improve on his iron play to move up the leaderboard.

"I did not really control my iron shots this week and hit quite a lot of bad shots with my irons. I am lucky to get away with that," said Chia, who was last year's halfway leader.

In today's round, Chia, who teed-off from the 10th hole, was a bit disappointed with an early bogey but recovered with two birdies on the 11th and 13th hole.

He posted another two birdies and two bogeys in his outward nine.

Meanwhile, Sasidaran, who is poised to make the cut for the first time in five appearances, is now aiming to put up a strong challenge.

"I hit the ball okay but didn't make the makeable putts. I kept getting pars and I managed to stay patient. Over the last three holes, I hit it close but didn't make the putts," he said.

In today's round, he carded two birdies against three bogeys for a one-over-par 73 scores.

Due to heavy rain and lightning, round two of the championship was suspended at 3.57pm but resumed later for about an hour at 6.20pm.

Fifty-eight golfers will resume their second round match at 7.45am tomorrow.