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.