Mardan Mamat and Lam Chih Bing still in with fighting chance of top three placing

By Lorna Campbell

Kuala Lumpur, Friday, September 19, 2008 – Singapore's duo of Mardan Mamat and Lam Chih Bing started the second day of the Fortis International Challenge tied for second place with Hong Kong. Despite a slightly disappointing performance in the foursomes with a score of one over for the day, they sit tied for fourth place with every chance of making the top three slots.

The World Cup Qualifier being held at Kota Permai, Kuala Lumpur from 18-21 September has 18 nations competing for three places and Korea are still looking good with an even par score today and two shots ahead of their rivals with nine-under for the tournament.

Singapore got off to a fantastic start with an eagle on the first, only to follow it with two bogeys and a double to give them even par on the front nine. Two bogeys and one birdie on the back nine brought them home one-over for the day and tied-fourth at five under with Italy and Myanmar.

"We got off to a brilliant start then didn't play very well after that. It was quite a struggle all day for us. To be where we are now, we are pleased that we still have a good chance," said Lam at the end of a tough round.

He continued, "I think it was the format that made it difficult out there. The pin placements were a lot friendlier today."

The Singapore pair had already worked out their strategy before arriving in town with Mamat teeing off on the even holes and Lam on the others.

Mamat said, "It was a good decision for me to hit the evens today but I was struggling a little on my ball striking today and didn't make enough shots to make my partner feel comfortable out there.

We are now at five under and not that far behind. With two more days the chances are still there."

Tomorrow sees a return of the Fourball format with Singapore hoping to sink more putts than on Thursday's outing to keep in touch with the Korean leaders.

Lam said, "We'll see how we play tomorrow before deciding the strategy for the final day. It's still anybody's game and there are three spots up for grabs so we'll knuckle down and do what we need to, to get the job done."

Elsewhere on the leader board, it was a day of reversed fortunes for many. The Molinari brothers found their form to jump into tied-fourth place after a round of 71 and the Philippines team of Angelo Que and Mars Pucay shot a round of 70 to take them to seven-under in second place.

Host nation Malaysia also improved with a round of 69 to leave them at two under for the tournament and in eighth place.

Hong Kong started the day tied for second but failed to make crucial putts and carded a six-over for the day to put them tied for tenth place.

The highlight of today came from the Myanmar team when Soe Kyaw Naing got a hole-in-one on the 14th hole. He was presented with a magnum of champagne by Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, Kyi Hla Han, who was at Kota Permai today to follow some of the action.

Han said, "I think the Fortis International Challenge is a great event. It's a chance for golfers to represent your country which is always an honour. I played in four of the finals myself and it was a great thrill to play in this event.

"The turnout we've had this week and the African nations coming to play is superb. I think the sponsors would be happy with the showing here at Kota Permai as it shows the growing game of golf and the fact it is a truly international affair."

Day three begins at 8am with the lowest ranking teams Nepal and Brunei leading the way at 8am, Singapore tee off with Italy at 9.12am and Korea play alongside the Philippines in the second round of Fourball at 9.36am.

THE TEAMS
Bangladesh (Md Siddiqur Rahman, Md Jibon Ali), Brunei (Pengiran Hassanal, Faiz Damit) Ghana (Emos Korblah, Victor Bravemensah), Kenya (Dismas Indiza, Anil Shah), Korea (Bae Sang-moon, Kim Hyung-tae), Nigeria (Oyebanji Gboyega, Odoh Andrew Oche), Singapore (Mardan Mamat, Lam Chih Bing), Sri Lanka (Anura Rohana, Lalith Kumara), Pakistan (Muhammad Shabbir, Muhammad Munir), Myanmar (Soe Kyaw Naing, Zaw Zaw Latt), Hong Kong (Derek Fung, David Freeman), Nepal (Deepak Thapa Magar, Deepak Neupane), Italy (Francesco Molinari, Edoardo Molinari), Indonesia (Junaedi Ibrahim, Sarmilih, Malaysia (Iain Steel, Danny Chia), Philippines (Angelo Que, Mars Pucay), Uganda (Deo Akope, Godfrey Mande), Swaziland (Robbie Wesselo, Meshak Zwane).