Golf: Double-par blow for Mardan

SINGAPORE - Overnight leader Mardan Mamat was looking to extend his lead when disaster struck. Teeing off from the 10th tee, he went to the parthree 17th hole with high hopes of extending his overnight one-shot lead.

But, on the second day of The Laguna National Masters Tournament at the Masters course, the Singapore No. 1 pro courted trouble.

A double-par - an unfamiliar score on his favourite course that once won him a European Tour event (Osim Masters) - ruined his hopes.

He hit two balls into the pond on the 151-metre hole - an eight-iron that bounced once on the green and went over into water, then an approach that again went wet - and settled for a six.

Still, he shares the lead with Laguna National pro Scott Barr going into today's final rounds on 143 after his two-over 74 mainly because the Australian bungled to a bogey - which he birdied - on the par-four 18th (their ninth hole).

On the second nine, Mardan shot one over and Barr played to regulation, leaving the duo, who have a three-shot lead, with victory in sight on Thursday.

Lying third is Singapore Professional Golfers Association president M. Murugiah who returned another 73 on yet another tough day at the challenging course on Wednesday.

There is a three-way tie for the Seniors lead, with David Ng (74), Khalid Yusoff (77) and Alan Chang (78) sharing the perch.

LEADERBOARD

143: Scott Barr 71-72, Mardan Mamat 69-74

146: M. Murugiah 73-73

147: Koh Dengshan 76-71, Unho Park 73-74

148: Poh Eng Wah 76-72, Gary Kwek 74-74

149: Lam Chih Bing 78-71

150: Eugene Sim 75-75

151: Phil Brew 79-72, Zaw Moe 76-75, Choo Tze Huang 75-76, Quincy Quek 75- 76, T. Raju 74-77, Stuart Holmes 73-78

152: Lim Kian Boon 77-75, Marc Kawasoe 76-76, Chang Ren Chiat 74-78, Kim Soueng Kuem 72-80.

Seniors:

152: David Ng 78-74, Khalid Yusoff 75-77, Alan Chang 74-78

154: Bill Fung 77-77, Jimmy Aw 74-80

156: John Pang 77-79, Poh Eng Teck 76-80

158: Steve Tan 78-80.

godfrey@sph.com.sg


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