It’s hazy whether Daeng can earn his breakthrough ADT win

PETALING JAYA: Youngster Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz’s bid to claim a breakthrough win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) has never got this close.

But it all depends now on whether the haze situation improves in Kuching today for the final round of the PGM MNRB ADT Championship to go ahead.

Wednesday’s opening round at the Kelab Golf Sarawak went smoothly with the 19-year-old Daeng firing a seven-under 65 to lead by four shots ahead of compatriot Kim Leun Kwang and South Korea’s Park Seung.

The second round, however, could not be played over the next two days as the haze in Kuching has hit very

unhealthy levels, with the the Air Pollution Index (API) reading having crossed the 270 mark.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good while 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above is deemed hazardous.

The final round today will only proceed if the API reading is below 200.

Despite enjoying a commanding four-shot cushion, Daeng is one anxious man as the tournament results will only be made official if 36 holes are completed.

A lot is at stake for Daeng as he’s

primed for the RM39,375 top prize and six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, but he will not be eligible for those rewards based on the first-round outcome.

“Hopefully, the weather today gets better because I’m really looking forward to playing tomorrow (today),” said Daeng.

“I have been trying to secure the ADT breakthrough since I turned professional in 2017.

“I have a good chance now and I don’t want to miss out.

“I need a win badly to boost my position on the ADT Order of Merit where the top seven finishers (at the end of the season) earn Asian Tour cards for next year,” added Daeng, who currently sits 39th on the money list.

Tournament director Fritz Katzengruber said: “According to the ADT’s rules and regulations, there has to be a minimum of two rounds for a tournament to be counted.

“If not, we’ll have to abandon play without a result.

“We needed the API to come to 200 for it to go ahead.”

Katzengruber added that the final round tee-off has to get under way latest by 12.30pm, otherwise it will be cancelled.

A total of 83 players, including 31 Malaysians, are taking part in this week’s meet, which is the 14th stop of the ADT season.