Swedish Ace Cards Seven Under To Lead Malaysia's PGM Labuan Championship Opening Day

LABUAN (Sabah, Malaysia), Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Swedish ace Oscar Arvidsson showed no fear on the dreaded Labuan International Golf Club layout, firing a brilliant seven under 65 to wrest a four-stroke lead over local aces R. Nachimuthu and M. Sasidaran (both carded three under 69) and 76 others on the first day of the PGM Labuan Championship 2017, here Wednesday. The length of the course, treacherous wind conditions and the blistering heat failed to slow down the world number 891 (Current OWGR Position) who tamed the greens with some superb precision putting on the opening day of the US$47,361 (RM200,000) championship (total cash prizes) sponsored by Labuan Corporation. Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand and James Bowen of US carded identical scores of 70, while another Malaysian Kenneth De Silva alongside Janne Kaske (Finland), Liu Wan Wei (China), Blake Snyder (USA), Natthapong Niyomchon (Thai), Pannakorn Uthaipas (Thai), Panuwat Muenlek (Thai), Choo Tze Huan (Singapore) and Tan Chien Hau (Malaysia) are tied on 71. Malaysian aces Arie Irawan, Airil Rizman Zahari, Mohammad Wafiyuddin, Keegan Kam and Donlaphatchai Niyomchon from Thailand played even-par golf to take 15th spot. Early favourite Martin Dive from Australia managed only a 77 alongside Andrew Park of the United States and Malaysian ace of S. Murthy to tie for 50th spot. All the players are scheduled to tee off the second day on Thursday and the next three days for a breakthrough in the Labuan’s premier championship. -- BERNAMA