PETALING JAYA: Peter Richardson saved par on his last hole for an even-par 71 to maintain his overnight lead in the second round of the RM250,000 PGM MIDF KLGCC Championship.
The 30-year-old Englishman traded two birdies against two bogeys for a two-day total of five-under 137 to be a stroke ahead of Malaysia’s Mohd Rizal Amin (70) and Tseng Hong-sheng of Taiwan (71) at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Thursday.
Local veteran R. Nachimuthu, who bounced back with a five-under 66 after his opening 73, and Canada’s Lindsay Renolds, who shot a 69, were another shot further adrift at the season-ending Asian Development Tour (ADT) co-sanctioned event.
Richardson admitted that he did just enough to stay ahead of the chasing pack heading into the final two rounds.
“It was different compared to yesterday (the opening round), which was stress-free,” said Richardson, who is seeking his second ADT title.
“I started well but kind of lost my rhythm a little bit towards the back nine. I made a good save on my last hole for par and I guess I’m still in a good position.”
American Brett Munson stayed on track for an Asian Tour card with a fine 69 which put him just three shots behind the leader.
He needs to hold on to his fifth position on the Order of Merit to achieve that. But at least he can breathe a huge sigh of relief when sixth-ranked Arie Irawan Fauzi missed the halfway cut after carding a 70.
“I will look at it positively. I’ve had a really good season,” said the 24-year-old Arie, who posted a disastrous 85 in the opening round.
“I didn’t reach my goal (of breaking into the top-five) but success doesn’t happen overnight. You have to fail before you succeed. I have hopes of doing well in Q-school. Hopefully I will make it through.”
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