Byrne makes good start in Malaysia with a 66


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Banchory exile James Byrne will start the second round of the Asian Development Tour's PGM Northport Championship in joint second place at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club's Garden Course, Seriemas in Malaysia.
He shot an opening round of six-under-par 66 to sit alongside Filipino Jay Bayda, two shots behind the Malaysian leader, Ben Leong.
Byrne, a two-time winner on the ADT, credited his pinpoint approach shots for a solid round where he missed only two greens in regulation.
“There was no wind when I played. It was pretty easy out there. The greens were good and I managed to hole some putts. My approach shots were good too. I gave myself a lot of chances for birdies,” said the 28-year-old Byrne.
“The highlight for me today was on the first hole. I drove my tee shot into the trees on the right but I managed to hit my second shot to about 15 feet from the pin and holed the putt for birdie,” added Byrne, who marked his card with eight birdies against a lone bogey.