Kammann halfway leader in Malaysian Masters
Kammann halfway leader in Malaysian Masters
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): American Scott Kammann emerged as the surprise halfway leader at the US$275,000 Malaysian Masters Friday after firing his second successive five-under-par 67.
The 28-year-old, playing in only his third even in Asia this year, enjoyed a bogey free outing at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club to lead by one stroke over Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and Taiwanese veteran Chung Chun-hsing, the oldest player on the tour at 46.
Overnight leader Prayad, who set a birdie record Thursday with eight in a row, battled to an even-par 72 while Chung, who set a course record when he played an 11-under-par 6l round in April, produced a vintage outing with a bogey-free 67.
Kammann said: "I kept my focus on every hole and didn't get ahead of myself. I struck my irons really well and made two early birdies which got me going in my round.
"I haven't played much this year because my wife gave birth to our first baby girl and I didn't have a lot of expectations for this week. But this is where I want to be."
Starting from tee box no.10, Kammann birdied the 11th and 13th holes before rolling in a 25-footer at the 16th to make the turn at three-under for the day. He nailed another monster birdie putt from 25 feet on the first hole and stroked in his fifth of the day at the seventh hole.
The slightly built Prayad rued his putter as he missed five birdie putts from within eight foot.
"I couldn't judge the pace of the greens. When I played yesterday afternoon, they were dry but this morning, there was a bit dew which slowed the putts. I had hoped to go under par today," said Prayad.
Chung hit his irons close to the pins for his five birdies and later said he is still intent on clinching his maiden victory on the Asian PGA circuit, which would also make him the oldest winner on tour.
Defending champion Stephen Lindskog of Sweden and Korea's Charlie Wi, the current leader of the Davidoff Tour Order of Merit, missed the weekend cut set at 144. Lindskog was five-over- par for two rounds while Wi missed by one stroke.