2008 Maybank Malaysian Open - Round 2: Randhawa, Chia and Dougherty share halfway lead

In-form Indian star Jyoti Randhawa holed a birdie on his return to the 17th hole and joined Danny Chia and Nick Dougherty at the top of the pack when the second round of the Maybank Malaysian Open completed on Saturday morning.

The former Asian Tour number one chalked up his seventh birdie from 10 feet before signing for a bogey-free round of seven-under-par 65 to match local hero Chia and Englishman Dougherty, who held the overnight lead on 12-under-par 132.

The New Delhi-based star, with six Asian Tour titles under his belt, has been enjoying a rich vein of form by finishing in the top-10 in his last three outings in Asia. With a relaxed approach and solid putting, Randhawa is aiming to win a second title at Kota Permai Golf and Coutry following his success in the 2004 Volvo Masters of Asia at the same venue.

Argentinean Rafael Echenique completed his second round in 68 and rose to joint fifth place alongside defending champion Peter Hedblom of Sweden and Ireland’s Damien McDowell who also carded matching 68s in the US$2 million Asian Tour and European Tour event.

“The lightning delay yesterday was good as we missed the heat and it was cool with no wind. It was ideal conditions when we went back out yesterday and I took full advantage. I was unable to complete my round though. Overall, I hit the ball fairly well and I was steady on the greens and this course rewards those who putt well so it worked out nicely for me.

“It was nice to finish off well this morning and I hope to continue my run. I just want to play the best golf and I will take it from there,” said Randhawa, who fired birdies on the first and fourth holes before holing four straight birdies on the turn on Friday.

Randhawa is currently ranked 72nd in the world and is hoping that another good week will push him closer towards the top-50, which will earn him an invitation to the year’s first Major at the US Masters. On Thursday, he incurred a two stroke penalty but shot a 67.

Frenchman Francesco Molinari also enjoyed his return to the course this morning when he struck a hole-in-one on the 14th hole with a nine iron for a 69 and was in a tie for 12th place, four strokes off the pace.

Three other Malaysians joined Chia in the weekend rounds after the cut was set at four-under-par 140, the lowest so far this season. S. Murthy posted a 67 for joint 31st position,US-based Iain Steel who improved with a 69 is joint 44th and Shabaan Hussein was on the cut-off mark after a 71.

No Malaysian has won the national championship since its inauguration in 1962 but the 35-year-old Chia kept his dream alive with six birdies against a lone bogey in Friday’s play.

A total of 69 players made the halfway cut and will tee off the third round at 10:30am local time today. The leading group will tee off at 12.20pm.

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

132 - Danny Chia (MAS) 65-67, Nick Dougherty (ENG) 62-70, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 67-65
133 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 65-68
134 - Graeme Mcdowell (NIR) 66-68, Peter Hedblom (SWE) 66-68, Rafael Echenique (ARG) 66-68
135 - Carlos Rodiles (ESP) 66-69, Robert-Jan Derksen (NLD) 66-69, Jose Manuel Lara (ESP) 68-67, Simon Dyson (ENG) 64-71
136 - Scott Barr (AUS) 68-68, Zhang Lian-wei (CHN) 68-68, Peter Lawrie (IRL) 69-67, Martin Erlandsson (SWE) 69-67, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 64-72, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 67-69
137 - Oliver Wilson (ENG) 66-71, Gary Murphy (IRL) 70-67, Graeme Storm (ENG) 69-68, Scott Strange (AUS) 66-71, Darren Clarke (NIR) 69-68, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 68-69, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 71-66, Keith Horne (RSA) 65-72, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 72-65, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 67-70, David Frost (RSA) 70-67, Daniel Vancsik (ARG) 65-72, Ignacio Garrido (ESP) 70-67

March 8, 2008

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page