Ben gets off to good start in Players C’ship in Taiwan

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's Ben Leong enjoyed a promising start when he carded a 68 to end up second after the first round of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Linkou, Taiwan.

Taiwanese Hung Chienyao scored a holeinone en route to a sixunder 66 to take a twoshot lead in rainy conditions at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Ben was pleased to keep a low score under difficult playing conditions, which saw only 11 players breaking par.

“Actually keeping my clubs and myself dry is already a bonus and to be able to break even under such conditions is really a good feeling.

“It was definitely tough and it was not easy out there. The winds were swirling. It comes and goes, it was wet. I started with a bogey and it took a lot to stay focused under such conditions. I stayed patient and play one shot at a time.

“It has been a roller coaster season and I’m just trying to stay consistent with everything I do,” said Ben, whose best result this season was a tied10th finish at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan in April.

Out of 14 starts on the Asian Tour, he has missed five cuts.

Chienyao's holeinone was the second ace he has recorded since he turned professional in 2012 and it provided the 26yearold hopes of better things to come amidst the gloomy weather conditions.

RESULTS

Leading first round scores: 66: Hung Chien-yao (Tpe); 68: Ben Leong (Mas); 69: Yeh Yu-chen (Tpe), Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha), Bowen Xiao (Chn), Kim Si-hwan (US); 70: John Catlin (US).