Danny won’t rest easy with one-stoke lead as young golfers stay close

SUBANG JAYA: Veteran professional Danny Chia stamped his dominance with a one-stroke in the Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy at the Saujana Golf and Country Club yesterday.

The 52-year-old carded a five-under 67 on the first day of the Toyota Tour’s 2024 season, one stroke ahead of Syahiran Syakir, who returned with a four-under 68.

A bogey on the 16th was the only blemish yesterday as he came back with four birdies in the first nine and two more on the back nine.

“I’m happy with my game, especially with my wedges, got a few lucky breaks throughout the day.

“It’s nice to be leading after the first round but it’s still early,” said Danny, who is the defending champion after winning last year at Saujana as well.

Danny has good reason to be cautious as the field is packed with young golfers out to dethrone him.

Galven Green, 24, ended his first day in third with three-under 69 as the top three are only separated by one stroke each.

He will be hoping for a decent showing here at Saujana after he missed out on the opportunity to earn full playing rights on the Asian Tour after finishing outside the top 35 in the

Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage last month.

“I was good from tee to green and managed to make a bunch of putts. It may be too soon to tell but I’m hoping I can be in contention after the second round,” said Galven.

He sits a stoke behind Syahiran who managed a stellar eagle to gain the advantage in second, while Fakhrul Akmal and Sukree Othman are in tied fourth with one-under 71.

Meanwhile, national golfer Ervin Chang will need to step it up in the following rounds after starting with one-over 73 that put him on joint 13th.

The 25-year-old hopes to improve on his recent performance at the International Series in Oman, where he finished in joint 43rd, scoring an evenpar 288 at the Al Mouj links course.

Last-minute inclusion Khavish Varadan will also need to dig deep as he finished in joint 21st with two-over 74.

The recent Malaysian Open top local finisher didn’t have a bad start, but it was nothing to shout about as he managed only one birdie throughout the 18 holes.

Toyota Tour Qualifying School Leg 1 winner Malcolm Ting completed his first round with one stroke more than Khavish, placing himself in joint 26th with three-over 75.

In the ladies’ tournament, Geraldine Wong leads after day one with oneunder 71, a stroke ahead of Ainil Johani Bakar with an even-par 72.

Tournament favourite Aretha Pan is in joint third with two-over 74, together with Jocelyn Chee and South Korean H. Y. Bang.