Nicholas dismisses danger of early exit in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Nicholas Fung (pic) birdied three of his opening six holes to dismiss any thoughts of missing the cut in the second round at the weather-disrupted SMBC Singapore Open.

The Queen’s Cup champion, in danger of an early exit in his first start of the season, responded strongly with a three-under 68 at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course yesterday.

The 27-year-old Nicholas finished with a two-day total of even-par 142 to reach the halfway stage at joint 49th.

Although half of the 156-man field is yet to complete their first 36 holes of the tournament due to inclement weather, Nicholas is almost assured of progressing into the weekend as the current project- ed cut stands at one-over.

Nicholas, playing in his sixth straight Asian Tour season, could have ended with a better score had he not fumbled on the final hole in the first round.

Nicholas, who returned yesterday morning to resume the six holes left from Thursday, bogeyed the 14th and triple bogeyed the 18th to register a dismal 74.

“I was doing pretty fine until disaster struck on the 18th, where I hit into water twice!” lamented Nicholas.

“It was frustrating. But I fought well with a three-under and I’m sure I’m going to make the cut.

“I live to fight another day. I hope to make amends in the last two rounds and finish as strong as I can. I’m quite confident with my game this week, I hit it quite well and my putting has been great.

“Apart from that triple bogey, I’m pleased with how things have panned out so far.”

Nicholas was the only Malaysian to have completed the second round as Gavin Kyle Green, Ben Leong, Danny Chia and Shariffuddin Ariffin fell victim to weather delay.

Gavin and Ben, who finished eight and four holes respectively, were both joint 31st at two-under overall.

Danny Chia, one-under for the day, sits just a shot above the cut line with seven holes to be played while Asian Tour debutant Shariffuddin still has 10 holes to make a difference as the 18-year-old is just one stroke off the projected cut.