Volvo Masters of Malaysia
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club
Malaysia
13th - 16th August 1998

Second Round Report

Second Round Scores
First Round

Rain halts play with Meeks and Zarate clubhouse leaders

Golf Today News Services

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14th August, 1998 - Heavy rain brought play to an early finish on the second day of the US$200,000 Volvo Masters of Malaysia but not before Eric Meeks of the United States and Danny Zarate of the Philippines were able to complete their rounds and take the clubhouse lead.

Meeks fired a six-under-par 66 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club to lie at seven under for the Omega Tour event along with Zarate, who returned a four-under-par 68. Myanmar's Zaw Moe is also at seven under but had nine holes remaining when play was called off for the day at 4.45 pm (Kuala Lumpur time).

"If you hit the ball into the right places on this course then you can score well, if you don't then you will struggle," said Meeks.

"In the first round I did not find the right places and got nowhere but that taught me how to play the course," added the American, who is still looking for his first win in Asia despite numerous second place finishes in the region over the past few seasons.

Meeks and Zarate beat the rain today but their rounds were washed out on the first day and both were forced to finish off round one early this morning.

"I am a little disorientated but I am pleased to be going back to the hotel with my second round complete, " said Zarate.

Zarate's round was inspired by an eagle on the 525-yard par-five 12th while Meeks charged into contention with three birdies in a row starting from the 10th.

"I have been putting terribly but I played with my club sponsor from Wilson in the pro-am and he gave me a new putter and it has been working like a dream," said Zarate, who finished number one on the Philippine domestic circuit last year.

Korea's Chung Joon also played the closing holes of his first round on the second day and took the lead with a brilliant seven-under-par 65. He was quickly back out onto the golf course but was unable to keep the momentum going and carded a one-over-par 73.

Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit who lay second after a first round six-under-par 66 also followed up poorly in the next round with a 73.

Three players - Chung, Korea's Choi Kyung-ju and Taiwan's Wang Ter-chang - lie in a tie for third place in the clubhouse a stroke behind the two leaders. Choi carded a 70 while Wang, winner of last year's Ta Shee Open, came in with a 70.

One player still to finish his second round had a chance of catching the leaders. South African Nico Van Rensburg had nine holes to complete but was well placed at four under for the tournament. Half the field had still to finish round two.