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Lim Eng Seng takes first day ASEAN honours

Rookie professional Lim Eng Seng had the distinction of becoming the first player to lead an ASEAN Golf Tour event today in Indonesia.

The Malaysian fired an opening round three-under-par 69 in the US$50,000 International Championship presented by Telkomsel – an inaugural tournament that signifies the start of the ASEAN Golf Tour.

Filipino Marvin Dumandan, also in his maiden season as a member of the paid ranks, finished in second following a 70 at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.

One stroke further back are Malaysians Danny Chia and S. Sivachandran.

Lim and Sivachandran turned professional at the end of last year following distinguished amateur careers.

“I actually played this course in 2004 when playing for Malaysia in the Putra Cup and we finished second so I am familiar with it. It seems to be kind to me despite being a difficult course,” said Lim.

The 25 year old started his round poorly by bogeying the first two holes before the pars flowed plus five birdies.

“I made a bomb on the par five sixth where I holed a birdie putt from 50 feet,” added Lim, who has spent the year playing in small events in Malaysia and Thailand.

Filipino Carito Villaroman and Thailand’s Sattaya Sapuppramai and Wittawat Sae-ung finished level for the day.

Pre-tournament favourites Angelo Que from the Philippines and Singaporean Lam Chih Bing failed to find their form.

Que, currently ranked 51st on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, came in with a 76 while Lam returned a 77.

Que made the turn in even par but never recovered after three putting both 12 and 13.

“I lost my concentration on the back nine. Play was a bit slow but that’s no excuse. I need a few breaks with my putting as my stroke is fine,” said Que.

The International Championship presented by Telkomsel is one of five events scheduled on this year’s ASEAN Golf Tour which has been set up to provide more playing opportunities for professionals in the region.

Leading first round scores (par 72):

69 – Lim Eng Seng (MAS)
70 – Marvin Dumandan (PHI)
71 – Danny Chia (MAS), S. Sivachandran (MAS)
72 – Carito Villaroman (PHI), Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA), Wittawat Sae-ung (THA)
73 – Ilyasak (INA), Dede Iris (INA), Anis Helmi Hassan (MAS), Indra Hermawan (INA), Pijit Petchkasem (THA), Vuttipong Puangkeaw (INA)

Selected:

74 – P. Gunasegaran (MAS), Mohd Shaaban Hussein (MAS), Maan Nasim (INA)
75 – Deni Supriadi (INA)
76 - Poh Eng Wah (SIN), Angelo Que (PHI)
77 – Lam Chih Bing (SIN)

September 4, 2007