AMERICAN BOWEN SHARES LEAD IN MALAYSIA

Kedah, Malaysia: James Bowen of the United States continued his good form when he posted a seven-under-par 65 to take a share of the second-round lead with Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert at the PGM Sime Darby Harvard Masters today.

The American posted a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 and is determined to play his way back into the main Tour after missing the cut at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage last month.

Pavit returned with the day’s lowest score of 63 to move atop the leaderboard after starting the day in tied-fifth while Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Chi-hsien, a one-time Asian Development Tour (ADT) winner is three shots back in third place on 134.

Malaysia’s S. Siva Chandhran, who won the ADT Order of Merit in 2010, traded seven birdies against one bogey to take equal fourth with Canada’s Lindsay Renolds and Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn on 135 at the RM200,000 (approximately US$65,000) ADT event which is held at the Harvard Golf and Country Club this week.

After missing out on the opportunity to earn his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School, Bowen believes the best way to prove himself again would be to excel on the ADT.

“Coming from the States, I heard a lot of good things about the Asian Tour and that’s why I decided to brave the long journey to come out here and compete,” said Bowen.

“I shot rounds of 71 and 76 and missed the cut in Q School. I’m trying to regain my confidence and play my way back into the Asian Tour again. Hopefully my performance over two rounds this week would allow me to do that,” said the American who hit 17 greens in regulation his opening round where he signed for a 66.

Siva is also on a mission of reclaiming his place among the best players on the region’s premier Tour again.

Despite being crowned as the ADT’s best player in 2010, Siva could not carry his best form over to the main Tour.

After winning his second ADT title in Malacca in 2011, he only had one top-10 to show for on the Asian Tour that year.

Siva made two cuts in eight attempts on the Asian Tour in 2012 and lost his card after finishing in 103^rd place on the Order of Merit.

“It was a huge setback to have lost my card. I had limited playing opportunities and it was not a nice feeling,” said the Malaysian who was once ranked as the country’s best amateur.

“But today’s performance brought back the confidence and belief that I’m still able to play my best golf. I need such performances to lift my spirits and be in the position to be ranked as one of the best in the game again,” added Siva whose otherwise flawless card was marred by a lone bogey on the par-five three.

Leading second round scores

131 James BOWEN (USA) 66 65, Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 68 63

134 HSIEH Chi-hsien (TPE) 68 66

135 Lindsay RENOLDS (CAN) 65 70, S. Siva Chandhran (MAS) 69-66, Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) 71 64

136 Spencer SHISHIDO (USA) 67-69

137 Anthony CHOAT (AUS) 68 69, Akhmal TARMIZEE (MAS) 68  69, Zurie HARUN (MAS) 70 67, Zanie Boy GIALON (PHI) 71 66

138 Clement RAMEAUX (FRA) 70 68, Shaifubari MUDA (MAS) 65 73, Wasin SRIPATTRANUSORN (THA) 70 68, Ratchapol JANTAVARA (THA) 69 69, Hafiy SUHAILI (MAS) 69 69, James LAM (PHI) 69 69