2007 Iskandar Johor Open - Round 1: Lin leads the way in Johor

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chien-bing took advantage of the tricky conditions at the Iskandar Johor Open for a one stroke lead in the opening round on Thursday.

Lin, 33, tackled the challenging par-71 course at the Royal Johor Country Club with a four-under-par 67 and was a stroke ahead of Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong who was in lone second spot.

Korea’s Lee Sung, who won the Bangkok Airways Open in June, continued his steady form in tied third after a 69 with a similar score by Sung Mao-chang of Chinese Taipei, Australia’s Unho Park and Japan’s Taichiro Kiyota in the inaugural US$300,000 event.

Lin, with three pro wins on the domestic circuit, was surprised to be in the lead as he believes that lady luck was behind his run today with many narrow escapes in the closing stages of the round.

“I did not expect to be where I am, leading in the opening round. It is a pleasant surprise for me. I am quite happy.

“I was putting really well throughout the day. But I consider myself quite lucky as the ball had landed in the rough and bunkers many times but I got myself out of trouble with accurate shots that landed near the cup,” said Lin, who turned pro in 1995.

“I was among the frontrunners only once before on the Asian Tour but then I slipped and did not finish too strongly. It’s nice to be where I am now and I hope I can repeat my leading performance tomorrow,” admitted Lin.

Riding on fine form this year, China’s Liang enjoyed the support of his coach Kel Llewellyn as he blasted four birdies against a lone bogey.

“I endured a slow start but I’m pleased with my position at the end of play today. I bogeyed the 12th hole but managed to strike four birdies after so I am satisfied. The 16th hole was definitely the highlight for me. I enjoyed a 48 foot birdie putt on very tricky green. The ball curled and rolled into the cup. That was nice,” said Liang, who chalked up seven top-10 finishes this season that included a win in Singapore in March.

Australia’s Park is determined to close the gap in the second round after five birdies against three dropped shots.

“I didn’t play that good but I managed to make the pars and birdies when I needed too.

“I was fortunate to miss the greens in the right place. In this course, it can be unforgiving if you go way off target but I enjoy the course and I’m pleased with where I am now,” said Park, with two top-five results this year.

Thai youngster Panuwat Muenlek was three strokes adrift in joint seventh spot after a 70 alongside Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wen-teh, New Zealander Stephen Scahill, Filipino duo of Gerald Rosales and Artemio Murakami, in-form Indian star Gaurav Ghei, Steve Parry of England, Australia’s Adam Groom and Jason King, James Stewart of Hong Kong, and Eddie Heinen of United States.

Airil Rizman, the Pakistan Open winner, was Malaysia’s highest ranked local player as he was even-par in the opening round and four strokes behind the leader.

“I am pleased. This is a really tough course. My short game kicked in today and I’m very happy. I will stay positive and say that I will have a good game in the following round.

“If it does not rain and my game improves, I know I can shot a better score but I think the winning score this week will around the 10 under mark,” said Airil.

Leading first round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

67 - Lin Chien-bing (TPE)

68 - Liang Wen-chong (CHN)

69 - Lee Sung (KOR), Sung Mao-chang (TPE), Taichiro Kiyota (JPN), Unho Park (AUS)

70 - Stephen Scahill (NZL), Panuwat Muenlek (THA), Gerald Rosales (PHI), Steve Parry (ENG), Gaurav Ghei (IND), Adam Groom (AUS), Artemio Murakami (PHI), Eddie Heinen (USA), Jason King (AUS), Lu Wen-teh (TPE), James Stewart (HKG)

71 - Jerome Delariarte (PHI), Jarrod Moseley (AUS), Scott Taylor (USA), Harmeet Kahlon (IND), Lam Chih Bing (SIN), Airil Rizman (MAS), Jason Knutzon (USA), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Lin Wen-tang (TPE), Simon Yates (SCO), Angelo Que (PHI), Kwanchai Tannin (THA), Martin Rominger (SUI), Gurbaaz Mann (IND),

72 - Ronnachai Jamnong (THA), Wisut Artjanawat (THA), Arjun Singh (IND), Lee Won-joon (AUS), Edward Michaels (USA), Scott Barr (AUS), Adam Le Vesconte (AUS), Peter Fowler (AUS), Chris Rodgers (ENG), Mars Pucay (PHI), Lin Wen-hong (TPE), Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA), Clay Devers (USA), Tony Lascuna (PHI), Mahal Pearce (NZL), Richard Lee (NZL), Olle Nordberg (SWE), David Freeman (HKG)

August 23, 2007

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