Malcolm eyeing a ‘better’ final round in Melaka
Helicopter pilot Hafiy Suhaili got his rotor blades running smoothly when he lifted himself into the joint lead of the Toyota Tour Qualifying School Leg 1, scoring five birdies against three bogeys for a two-under 70 and a two-day aggregate of 144 at the Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club yesterday.
Overnight leader and pretournament favourite Malcolm Ting Siong Hung from Miri, Sarawak couldn’t find his swing and, despite recording four birdies, his scorecard was undone by four bogeys and a double.
He ended up with a two-over 74 and an aggregate of 144.
Joining Hafiy, whose 70 was the low score of the day, and Ting in the last group for today’s final round is amateur Hariz Hezri who managed to finish with an even-par 72 and at 147 is within striking distance of the leaders.
“I’ve worked on my consistency and the results are showing.
“I’m happy with my game and look forward to obtaining playing rights on the Toyota Tour,” said Hafiy who hails from Kelantan.
Ting wasn’t pleased with his performance. “I wasn’t hitting the ball well but it is what it is. Hopefully I’ll do better tomorrow.”
Tan Ying Ying, the 14-yearold amateur from Kulim who surprised with a one-over 73 a day earlier, stayed on course for a Toyota Tour card when she carded a five-over 77 and a twoday aggregate of 150.
She is now six over and has nine strokes to spare going into today’s final round.
“I could have played better,” said the shy girl who names Tiger Woods and Atthaya Thitikul as her golf idols. This is the first time that Ying Ying is paired with professionals.
A total of 39 players from a starting field of 64 advanced into today’s final round with the aim of securing playing rights on the Toyota Tour which is organised by the Professional Golf Malaysia and delivered by MST Golf.
Participants who manage to score 15-over and better will be granted their coveted tour cards.