Golf: Singapore's Lam leads Salcon Negeri Masters

Golf: Singapore's Lam leads Salcon Negeri Masters
Posted: 09 July 2009 2302 hrs

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore's Lam Chih Bing fired a superb seven-under 65 to lead by two strokes at the RM400,000 Salcon Negeri Masters 2009 Invitational at the Seremban International Golf Club on Thursday.

Lam's flawless round of seven birdies - three in a row starting at the first hole before adding four more at the sixth, 10th, 11th and 13th hole - equalled the course record held by Australia's Unho Park in the same tournament in 2007, Bernama news reported.

"Obviously, I'm pleased with my tee-shots today, where I kept it on the fairways. I also had a superb day with my putter and sank a couple of incredible putts even though the greens are devilishly slick," Lam was quoted as saying in a statement released by the tournament organiser.

Meanwhile, last year's runner-up and 2007 Selangor Masters champion, Philippines' Antonio Lascuna and Thailand's P. Atthaphon shared second placing with two strokes behind Lam on five-under 67.

"I'm satisfied with my score today although the greens were a little unpredictable," said Lascuna.

Locals C.M. Chong and Ahmad Jamil tied in fourth placing on four-under 68 with two other players, Mars Pucay of the Philippines and Lu Chien Soon of Taiwan.

Local professionals, Danny Chia and Airil Rizman Zahari returned a 72 and a 71 respectively.

Defending champion Benjie Magada from the Philippines fired a two-under 70.

However, it was a disappointing start for Mardan Mamat, the ninth ranked player on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. The Singaporean struggled on the testy greens firing four birdies against six bogeys for a two-over 74.

First round results:

65 - Lam Chih Bing (SIN)
67 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI), P. Attaphon (THA)
68 - Mars Pucay (PHI), Lu Chien Soon (TPE), Chong Chi Ming (MAS), Ahmad Jamil (MAS)
69 - P. Gunasegaran (MAS), Chou Hung Nan (TPE), Thaworn Wiranchant (THA), Anis Hassan (MAS), Tseng Shih Hsin (TPE), Chen Po Ming (TPE), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Kim Young Jin (KOR).

Maybe LCB is on a winning streak this year?

Good luck this season, LCB.

CK

GO LAM !

Come On MM!!!!

go go go...