Kitayama surges to the fore, Kiishaan is best-placed Malaysian

PETALING JAYA: American Kurt Kitayama remained in cruise control after shooting a two-under 70 to take a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the PGM Darulaman Championship.

The 25-year-old, who opened his campaign with a sublime 63, mixed his card with three birdies and one bogey to finish on 11-under 133 total at the Darulaman Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Compatriot John Catlin shot a second straight 68 to sit second

while Shinichi Mizuno of Japan and Kwanchai Tannin of Thailand shared third on 139s following identical rounds of 69s.

After starting the second day in tied second, six-time PGM Tour winner Sukree Othman slipped to

a five-way tie for 18th on two-under 142 after returning a poor 75 in the RM225,000 tournament which also serves as the Asian Development Tour ( ADT) season-opener.

T. Kiishaan emerged as the best- placed Malaysian in joint fifth – seven shots off the pace.

Kitayama was happy to maintain his form.

“My game was kind of up and down today. I started with a birdie but didn’t hit it that great for the rest of my first nine. I was still able to save some pars,” said Kitayama.

“It’s hard to back up a great round (opening 63) with another really good round.

“So I just wanted to try and finish the day well.”