Ben takes first-round lead in Sabah

PETALING JAYA: Home hero Ben Leong (pic) seized the opening round lead with a three-under 69 at the PGM Sabah Championship.

The 32-year-old Malaysian stood firm in the wet and blistery conditions to lead by one shot over compatriot Nicholas Fung, who carded a 70, at the RM225,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event yesterday.

Thai duo Thepbodin Amaranan and Chonlatit Chuenboonngam carded matching 71s to tie in third place with Japan’s Shinichi Mizuno (71) while a group of 10 players shared sixth place on 72 at the Sabah Golf and Country Club.

Starting on the 10th tee, Ben turned in 34 before adding two more birdies against one bogey on his homeward nine to seize the opening round lead.

“My only mistake was probably misjudging the wind on holes five and 17 and ended up missing the greens on my approach shots on both holes. But I putted

well today and made a lot of good saves,” said Ben, who credited his mental strength and knowledge of the course that helped him navigate through the tricky conditions.

“It wasn’t easy out there. I just knew where to miss my shots and told myself par is actually a good score.

“Especially on the back nine when the wind started picking up, I just had to keep reminding myself to take par and move on.”

The PGM Sabah Championship is the 12th leg on the ADT’s 2018 schedule.