Chia best Malaysian player on CIMB Classic first day
KUALA LUMPUR: Professional golfer Danny Chia, 44, emerged as the best Malaysian player in the opening round of the 2017 CIMB Classic held at TPC Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Kiara, yesterday.
After starting off with two bogey at the first two holes, Chia, who turned professional in 1996, recovered the hiccup by nailing five birdies for a two-under-par 70 scores.
“I made a very nervous start but then I recover well and overall I’m happy with my performance.
“At the first hole, I did a good drive but somehow my second shot got into a rough. Quite unbelievable as it happened at the second hole as well,” he told reporters yesterday.
Chia is tied in 23rd place with 13 other golfers including defending champion, American Justin Thomas and world number three, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.
The other Malaysian in the field, Nicolas Fung scored an even-par 72 to settle in 44th place together with 16 other golfers.
Meanwhile, lady luck was not on Gavin Kyle Green’s side. After cruising the game fairly good in his first nine holes, Green finished off badly.
“I was cruising fine and then I had a horrible finish, double bogey at seventh hole, bogeyed at the ninth and 12. Then missed so many putts.
“It was just a tough finish for me. I just had a couple of bad tee shots and it kind of cost me,” said the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader.
The newly crowned Mercuries Taiwan Masters champion, Green shared 60th position with seven other golfers with one-over-par 73.
For today’s action, Green is looking forward to rise but at the same time he does not want to be over-aggressive.
“You can’t be over-aggressive or the course is going to punish you right away. You’re going to have to be very patient,” he said. - Bernama