Perez surges to lead on raininterrupted second round
KUALA LUMPUR: American Pat Perez surged up the leader board and took advantage of the cooler conditions by firing a superb seven-under-par 65 to seize the second round lead at the USD7 million (about RM29.50 million) CIMB Classic.
The second round of the 2017 CIMB Classic at the TPC Kuala Lumpur in Bukit Kiara here, yesterday was suspended for three hours and 48 minutes due to weather inclement.
The 41-year-old benefited from the delayed game by shooting six birdies on his homeward nine to lead on 13-under-par 131.
"I didn't expect it. So yeah, it was good. I got in late Tuesday and I didn't feel good yesterday and so it was a bit of a surprise, but I'll take it.
"I putted pretty good. I didn't hit it great. I just kind of kept it in front of me. No real mistakes, that was what made it a little easier. So it was just kind of a good day overall," said Perez, adding that he had just recovered from jet-lag.
"...I didn't sleep, my shoulder hurts, my side hurts. It was just kind of a bad day (yesterday), but feel good now," said Perez, who completed Thursday's opening round in tied fifth place with a score of 66.
Meanwhile his compatriot, Xander Schauffele, who was voted the 2016-2017 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, eagled the par-three fifth hole to stay a further shot back following a 67 in the event sanctioned by the PGA Tour and Asian Tour.
"I guess I'm hitting it in most of the fairways and I figure the greens would be kind of tough for me since they're a little slow. I mean tough for everyone out here, but kind of managed to find some way to get it in the hole," said the 24-year-old.
After winning the Tour Championship three weeks ago, Schauffele is in contention for another victory in his maiden appearance at the CIMB Classic.
Overnight leader, Cameron Smith of Australia, Kang Sungthoon of South Korea and Thomas Pieters of Belgium were tied in third place, accumulating identical nine-under-par 135.
"I keep the game plan pretty much the same really. Just smart off the tee, try to hit the fairways and then really aggressive into the greens was the goal today and it worked so I'll keep that one," said Smith, although he struggled to get into rhythm after the rain delay. - Bernama