Young Guns Shine At Orchid
September 8, 2011

Singapore's young guns came to the fore at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic with rookie pro Koh Dengshan and amature Lam Zhiqun eclipsing the nation's bigger stars on Thursday.

Koh, 23, fired a solid one-under-par 69 at a wind-swept Orchid Country Club in what is only his second professional appearance while Lam showed his potential with a level par 70 at the US$300,000 Asian Tour tournament.

Lam Zhiqun

Veteran Mardan Mamat struggled to a 72 while Lam Chih Bing and Quincy Quek returned matching 71s to leave themselves with a battle at hand to make the weekend rounds. Chang Ren Chiat and Marc Kawasoe also enjoyed solid starts with 70s.

Koh shot four birdies against three bogeys to stay on track for another payday as his debut on the Asian Development Tour in Taipei two weeks ago saw him finish tied 31 st .

“I'm happy to have played well today. I hit the balls in the correct places. Although I was not driving that well, I made it up with my irons shots and putting. What's most satisfying is that there were no real big numbers on my card. I'm enjoying the experience, especially since this is my first professional tournament at home,” said Koh.

He was delighted to escape with a par and bogey at the tough sixth and 15 th holes, formerly par five holes which were converted into lengthy par four challenges.

“The course has become more challenging since they lengthened it. The sixth hole was tough as I was playing it right into the wind. I pushed my hybrid a bit right and I got up and down from the bunker. I made bogey on the 15th as I didn't hit my drive too well into the left rough and got blocked out,” said Koh.

Lam, one of Singapore's top amateurs, battled to three birdies against three bogeys in tough conditions. With experienced Thai caddie Posom Meeposom, who was with three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee previously, by his side, the young Singaporean was composed in his round of 70.

“Played alright, and just made a couple of mistakes with a couple of three putts. Pretty much a good day's work. It was just windy all day. I was trying to hit fairways and greens and trying to make par. If a birdie comes, it would be a bonus,” said Lam.

He has engaged Posom to caddy for him this week and the Asian Amateur Championship in Singapore later this month. The winner of the Asian meet will qualify for the Masters Tournament in 2012.

“I've got an experienced caddie this week. He's very experienced and he gives me good yardages. Hopefully I wasn't too impatient. I was patient all day. If I get out of line, he'll put me back in line,” said Lam.