IT WAS no surprise that Quincy Quek returned the best score on the first day of the Singapore National Amateur Championships at Safra's Kranji Course yesterday.

Quek shot a two-under 70 to be best among 60 golfers in his tune-up for the Putra Cup next week. He is the defending champion for the individual section.

National serviceman Quek had six birdies, but soiled his card with four bogeys.

His birdies came on the second, sixth, seventh, 16th, 17th and 18th holes.

On the second, a par-three, he sank an eight-foot putt.

On the par-five sixth, he chipped to three feet before dropping the ball while a 10-foot putt earned him a great birdie on the par-four seventh.

Quek was delighted with his birdie-birdie-birdie finish, the putts coming from 10 feet, 30 feet and four feet.

He was particularly pleased with his 17th-hole birdie, when a five-iron left him with a long putt which he sank.

He said: 'I'm happy with my overall game, although I could have avoided a couple of bogeys.'

The hardworking National Service Resort and Country Club golfer had been putting in many hours of practice since his return from Sapporo last month where he competed in the Japan Amateur Open.

Future

And with thoughts of turning pro in the near future, Quek is keen to put on some good showings, beginning with the Putra Cup at SICC's Bukit course.

Lying second are Lam Zhi Qun, Mitchell Slorach and Choo Tze Huang, a shot behind Quek.

The golfers play their second strokeplay round today and 16 players will make it to the matchplay event.

LEADERBOARD:

70: Quincy Quek.

71: Lam Zhi Qun, Mitchell Slorach, Choo Tze Huang.

72: Christopher Joseph, Jonathan Leong.

74: Lion Goh, Joshua Shou, Vincent Khua.

75: Charles Khoo, Levine Tan, Nicholas Lee.

76: Justin Han, Gregory Foo, Chia Chong Zheng, Melvin Chan, Feldman Tan.