Daily Times

LAHORE: Thailand golfers dominated the proceedings of the second round of the Asia Development Tour Golf Championship at the Defence Raya Club Golf Course here on Saturday. The championship, which carries prize money of $120,000, has attracted 31 foreign golfers from USA, Venenzuela, Sweden, England, Austria, Australia, South Africa, Malaysia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand. 61 Pakistan golfers are also taking part in the championship and showing their skill despite their insufficient international exposure. Talat Ijaz, Muhammad Shabbir Iqbal and Muhammad Asif were trailing at the seventh position at the end of the second round. During the third day’s proceedings the fog once again remained an adverse factor as over eight hours play was lost on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The officials of Asia Tour, Pakistan Golf Federation and Defence Raya Golf Club were forced to reduce the event to 54 holes as against the planned 72 holes.

Certainly the 30 champions from overseas felt disheartened and equally disappointed were the Pakistani professionals who had gradually managed to show their prowess over the past three rounds. And during the course of the past 36 holes, Shabbir had succeeded in improving his position and so had players like Talat, Asif, Shahid Javed Khan, Muhammad Imran and Taimoor Khan.

The superb play of the seasoned ones from Thailand continued as Poosit Supupramai tightened his grip at the weather-shortened Championship when he fired a second round four-under-par 68 yesterday. Poosit returned this morning to complete 10 holes before officials reduced the event to 54 holes. The 24-year-old Poosit had a two-shot advantage on 11-under-par 133 as countryman Jakraphan Premsirigorn trailed in second place. Nattawat Suvajanakorn, also of Thailand, Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden and Luke Joy of England shared third place, three shots behind the leader Poosit.

The leader Poosit managed an even-par in his first nine holes but returned with three birdies and one eagle against a bogey on his homeward nine to put himself in prime position to make a charge for the title on Sunday (today). And talking of the playing conditions at the Defence Raya Golf Course, Poosit said: “I think I have a good chance now because the tournament is reduced to 54 holes. I have a slight advantage but as you’ve seen in the last two days, you can really go low on the course.” As for the Pakistan stalwarts, they are still hopeful of some amazing performances today. Shabbir is one from whom expectations are on a high and he is not hesitant in admitting that he considers the Defence Raya Golf Course a good one and he said: “I always play here with confidence and I feel this has always been a lucky course for me and I feel really good on the greens.”

Amongst the Pakistan competitors, Shahid displayed ample excellence and in the company of a leading Japanese player and an Australian he carded a round of 68, four under par. Out of the top performing Pakistanis, Shabbir, Asif and Talat were at an aggregate score of 140, four under par. Shahid was at 141, three under par while Muhammad Imran was at 142.

Results:

133 – Poosit Supupramai (THA) 65+68

135 – Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 67+68

136 – Nattawat Suvajanakorn (THA) 72+64, Malcolm Kokocinski (SWE) 66+70, Luke Joy (ENG) 70+66

137 – Wolmer Murillo (VEN) 72+65

138 – Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 68+70

139 — Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (THA) 69+70

140 — Talat Ijaz (PAK) 72+68, Muhammad Shabbir Iqbal (PAK) 73+67, Masaru Takahashi (JPN) 67+73, Muhammad Asif (PAK) 68+72

141 – Mathiam Keyser (RSA) 72+69, Kazuma Shimaya (JPN) 70+71, Shahid Javed Khan (PAK) 73+68, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 70+71, John Catlin (USA) 72+69

142 — Amir Nazrin (MAS) 70+72, M Imran (PAK) 69+73

143 — Taimoor Khan (PAK) 73+70

144 — Hamza Amin (PAK) 69+75.

Published in Daily Times, November 5^th 2017.