India’s Kshitij takes the lead with eight-birdie blitz

PETALING JAYA: India’s Kshitij Naveed Kaul took advantage of a sizzling start to seize control at the halfway stage of the 116th Malaysian Amateur Open.

The 17-year-old blitzed the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf Club in Shah Alam yesterday with eight birdies, including four on the opening six holes, for a six-under 66 to move a stroke ahead of Thailand’s Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng.

Kshitij also marked his scorecard with two bogeys to reach the 36-hole mark at 10-under 134.

Witchayanon carded an eagle, six birdies and

one bogey for a sublime 65 to stay close to Kshitij.

The Thai is certainly the one to look out for as he’s determined to grab the title after being denied twice in the last two editions through playoff – first to Australia’s Lachlan Barker and then to compatriot Sadom Kaewkanjana last year.

Sadom kept his title chase alive by shooting a successive 69 to stay just four shots off the pace in sole third place with compatriot Atiruj Winaicharoenchai a further three shots back on three-under 141.

Atiruj and Kshitij were joint-leaders after the first round.

The best-placed local finisher in the 125-player field is still Victor Ng Yu Kai who salvaged an even-par 72 to be joint-fifth with Taiwan’s Liu Yung-hua on two-under 142.