Local leads at Malaysian Open
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2009 Malaysian Open | Round Two | 13 Feb 2009
Malaysian golfer Danny Chia has assured the Maybank Malaysian Open of even greater local interest this weekend by establishing a two shot lead at the halfway mark of the event co sanctioned between the European and Asian Tours.
Chia leads over Sweden’s Alexander Noren while one shot further back is Korea’s Noh Seung-Yi. In a group of four in a share of 4th position are England’s Nick Dougherty and Simon Griffiths, China’s Liang Wen-Chong and the rapidly improving Australian Adam Blyth.
The 36-year-old Chia has won only one Asian Tour event previously, that coming in 2002 with a victory at the Taiwan Open but this tremendous start opens up a significant opportunity. Chia started last week’s Asian International event in Thailand well before finishing 17th.
Chia produced two eagles in his closing six holes of round two, one of those at the par four 4th hole (his 13th).
Brisbane’s Adam Blyth continued the progress he has made in the last two seasons on the Asian Tour to be well positioned in a share of 4th. While he will be pleased to be so well placed heading into day three, a double bogey at his last hole of the day was an unfortunate finish to what had been a great run until that point. Blyth has yet to win in Asia but it might not be too long before he does.
Singapore based Australian Scott Barr is in 10th position, Marcus Fraser and Stephen Leaney 13th, Darren Beck, Mitchell Brown and David Bransdon 21st, Tony Carolan 44th, while Neven Basic, Scott Hend, Gavin Flint and David Gleeson 64th were the other Australasians to make the cut.
