FASTH ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS
AT ISKANDAR JOHOR OPEN
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, October 31: Sweden’s Niclas Fasth lived up to his star billing by taking a share of the clubhouse lead with Australia’s Mitchell Brown at the weather-disrupted Iskandar Johor Open on Friday.
The former European Ryder Cup stalwart shot a second successive four-under-par 68 in the second round at Royal Johor Country Club to join Brown, who carded a 69, atop the leaderboard on eight-under-par 136 at the US$500,000 Asian Tour event.
Two-time Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand charged into contention with a superb 66 to lie one back while title holder Artemio Murakami of the Philippines was three off the pace after a 72.
Former US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa carded a blemish-fee 69 for a 141 total and knows he must produce the fireworks at the weekend to challenge for the Iskandar Johor Open title.
A two-hour lightning delay in the afternoon meant that 42 players failed to complete their second rounds and will restart at 7.30am on Saturday, with the third round scheduled to begin at approximately 9.30am.
Fasth, winner of six titles in Europe, remained bogey-free through 36 holes and sank four birdies on his front nine. He rued a cold putter as numerous birdie attempts rolled past the edges.
“I played very well on the front nine but a bit scruffy on the back nine. I had loads of birdie chances but yet again, I would have hoped for a few more to drop. I guess I’m not alone in that, I’m not too far off,” said Fasth.
Ranked as high as 18th in the world last year, Fasth has slipped back to 82nd after his form dipped due to work in remodelling his swing with English swing guru Dennis Pugh this year.
With a great chance to land a first title of the year, Fasth reckons his vast experience could favour him. “I’m getting happier with my game as we have progressed and if I can keep improving, I have a good chance,” said the 36-year-old Swede.
Brown hopes he is a “couple of days” away from winning his maiden title after cruising into contention. The 23-year-old Aussie, who enjoyed a spell as world amateur number one in 2006, sank an eagle on the 11th hole, three birdies against two bogeys.
With six top-10s on the Asian Tour since making his debut last year, Brown is itching to break into the winner’s circle. “I played a lot better than yesterday and it was kind of good. I was pretty calm and collected until the last hole where I missed a one and a half footer for par. But it was okay. I’m quite happy,” said Brown.
Asked if he was close to a maiden professional victory, Mitchell replied: “I’m not sure, hopefully just a couple of days away.”
Thongchai shrugged off the effects of jetlag as he soared up the leaderboard with seven birdies and needed only 23 putts in his round.
“I had a good sleep last night and felt good. I hit the ball really well and hit a lot of fairways and greens,” said Thongchai. “In the first round, I didn’t know how to control my putts or my irons. Sometimes, my distance was also wrong but the second round is so much better.”
Defending champion Murakami traded one birdie against a bogey as he remained at five-under. “I didn’t birdie the two par fives on the second and 11th holes which are birdie holes but that’s golf. I couldn’t make any putts,” said the Filipino.
Goosen, winner of the US Open in 2001 and 2004, endured a similarly frustrating day on the tricky Royal Johor greens although he improved by three shots from his opening day’s effort. “I felt a little bit better but I’m still struggling on the par fives. I’ve only made one birdie on the par fives in two days and all the par fives are reachable. So not making birdies on them feel like bogeys,” said Goosen.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar was seven under par for the tournament with two holes of his second round remaining while Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Asia’s most prolific winner with 10 titles, moved into the title hunt after a second 69 left him two off the lead.
Iain Steel was Malaysia’s best placed golfer after a 69 left him three off the lead.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
136 Mitchell Brown (AUS) 67-69, Niclas Fasth (SWE) 68-68
137 Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 71-66
138 Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-69
139 Artemio Murakami (PHI) 67-72, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 69-70, Iain Steel (MAS) 70-69, Kane Webber (AUS) 68-71
140 M. Murugiah (SIN) 70-70, Rick Kulacz (AUS) 67-73
141 Retief Goosen (RSA) 72-69, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 71-70, Adam Groom (AUS) 72-69
142 Ben Leong (MAS) 71-71, Airil Rizman (MAS) 71-71, Clay Devers (USA) 72-70, Ronnachai Jamnong (THA) 71-71, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 73-69, Simon Dunn (SCO) 71-71, Ashley Hall (AUS) 72-70
(Note: 42 players did not complete round two. Will resume at 7.30am Saturday)