2006 Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters - Round 2: Haig hangs on to lead as Kao shoots 62

South African Anton Haig is in top gear as he fired a six-under-par 66 to lead the second round of the US$300,000 Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters on Friday.

The 20-year-old leader, with a two-day total of 15-under-par 129, took charge ahead of Thai young gun Chapchai Nirat who shot his second consecutive 65 as he trailed by a stroke at the Pulai Springs Resort.

Chapchai, who is ranked 17th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, completed his round in front of Chinese Taipei’s Kao Bo-song who shot a sizzling 62 that included three eagles. The 24-year-old Kao, who is in search of his first ever Asian Tour title, is
a stroke ahead of Australia’s Marcus Both who scored a 69. Myanmar’s Zaw Moe shot a 67 and was in joint fifth alongside Australia’s Unho Park who carded a 69.

Haig shot seven birdies against a single bogey in the second round thanks to his solid driving, excellent putting and the borrowed driver from Nico Van Rensburg.

“I found the groove and I am hitting the ball the best I’ve ever hit it. I am trying to take it to the next level. Nico’s driver is probably the strongest club in my bag alongside my putter,” said Haig, who birdied the 10th, 11th, 14th and 15th holes before firing three more birdies against a dropped shot at the third hole on the inward nine.

“I’m excited going into the third round but I am anxious as well. I am going to stick to my game plan and see how I go from there,” he said.

Starting on the 10th tee, Chapchai enjoyed a blemish free round as he scored birdies on the 10th, 11th and16th holes followed by four more birdies on the front nine.

“I applied the same game plan as yesterday and I am glad to be where I am,” said Chapchai.

“I struck it close to the pin throughout the day and had a consistent run so I am quite happy hoping to continue my fine form,” he said.

Kao, with the support of his Malaysian caddie Sulaiman Saad, got off to a flying start with an eagle at the par five first hole followed by a birdie at the second hole. He carded three more birdies in the sixth, eighth, and ninth holes before a scorching run in the back nine with two more eagles at the 11th and 14th holes.

“This is my best score on Tour but the preferred lie ruling applies today so it does not count. I fired three eagles which was fantastic. My putting and irons were pretty solid and I’m glad to produce such a good score,” he said.

“I was solid off the tee on the first, 11th and 14th holes. Using a three wood on my second shot in the first hole, I holed an easy 4 footer. My irons were steady in the 11th and 14th holes as my three iron left the ball less than five feet away from the pins at both holes,” he said.

“Plus I get along really well with my caddie and he was spot on here. He caddied for me at the Brunei Open last week and we make a good team.

“I hope to continue my solid form and strengthen my chances of a spot at the Singapore Open,” said Kao.

Only the top five finishers qualify for the Barclays Singapore Open next week. The winner of the Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters will also qualify for the HSBC Champions tournament.

Since his back surgery in 2004, Zaw, is enjoying his best spell on the Asian Tour. Zaw, 39, who won the 1997 Singtel Ericsson Singapore Open title, is eager to bounce back and finish in the top pack as he scored six birdies against a lone bogey.

“I am happy with the way I played today as I hardly made any mistakes,” said Zaw, who was also a regular on the Japan Tour before losing his card following his injury.

“I made a good par at the par three fourth hole which was a 15 footer and another on the 10th hole when I holed a 20 footer. Since my back surgery two years ago, my body changed a lot and I tried to play like before but I couldn’t. I have learnt to adjust recently and not to over do it. I know my limits now,” he said.

“I have been trying to adjust to a comfortable swing since the surgery and I am delighted as I finally found it. I am able to manage my game properly too. I couldn’t make some shots before, but recently I could, so I am very excited. When I started on the Asian Tour, I was among the front runners and I hope to be back on top once again,” said Zaw.

Filipino Juvic Pagunsan improved with a 64 while Thaworn Wiratchant and compatriot Chinarat Phadungsil carded matching 67s and was in joint 17th position alongside India’s Shiv Kapur who scored a 68.

Rashid Ismail was the highest ranked local talent when he carded a 68. He carded five birdies against a single bogey as he aims to drive for glory in the third round.

“I struck the ball well in the first nine as I scored four birdies. I wasn’t as good in the back nine but I hope to improve on my driving to produce a better score for tomorrow’s round,” said Rashid, who narrowly made the cut in joint 53rd spot.

The five under cut off mark is the lowest this season on the Asian Tour alongside the TCL Classic in March. The TCL Classic in 2005 holds the record with a six under.

Leading second round scores
129 - Anton Haig (RSA) 63-66
130 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 65-65
131 - Kao Bo-song (TPE) 69-62
132 - Marcus Both (AUS) 63-69
133 - Zaw Moe (MYN) 66-67, Unho Park (AUS) 64-69
134 - Barry Hume (SCO) 67-67, Anthony Kang (USA) 69-65, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 70-64, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 69-65
135 - Yasin Ali (ENG) 68-67, Brad Iles (NZL) 70-65, Keith Horne (RSA) 67-68, Jason Knutzon (USA) 69-66, Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 68-67, Matt Keegan (AUS) 67-68
136 - Ross Bain (SCO) 67-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 69-67, Richard Moir (AUS) 69-67
Kevin Chun (NZL) 65-71, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 72-64, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-67, Shiv Kapur (IND) 68-68, Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 69-67, Richard Lee (NZL) 69-67, Digvijay Singh (IND) 68-68

September 1, 2006

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