Fraser, Elvira take one shot lead at Maybank Championship

PETALING JAYA: Australia’s Marcus Fraser and Spain’s Nacho Elvira share the first round lead by returning identical sevenunder-par 65s at the Maybank Championship held at Saujana Golf and Country Club in Subang yesterday.

Fraser, who won the inaugural Maybank Championship in 2016, surprised himself with his position on the leaderboard after considering himself as a ‘parttime golfer’ nowadays.

“I’m definitely a part-time golfer these days. It’s nice to go out on the golf course and it doesn’t mean as much as it used to.

“I think when you’ve got that mind-set it probably helps. I was more surprised than anyone going out there and shooting seven under,” said Fraser.

Elvira, on the other hand, was delighted with his scores as he did not play well in the past few weeks of the season.

“To be honest seven under is always good. With my record here not being too great, 65 is very good.

“My caddie told me today that I hit 12 fairways. I have been hitting my irons good and putting great, I just needed to put the ball in play. I wasn’t able to do that the first few weeks (of the season) but I think I managed to do that in Qatar and also today,” said the Spaniard.

Meanwhile Philippines’ Angelo Que opened his campaign at the US$3 million event in a blistering pace, getting to nine-under after 11 holes.

“I thought I was dreaming when I got to nine-under after 11 holes. But these things happen especially when you play well. You try not to think too much and get ahead of yourself by ignoring it and keep playing. But it sorts of plays on your mind too,” said Que.

However, two double-bogeys on the 15th and 16th hole knocked him off the perch of the leaderboard.

Que stood in joint third place with Matthias Schwab of Austria and current Asian Tour’s Order of Merit leader, Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand. - AFP