Arie Irawan Fauzi contemplates his putt during the opening round of the PGM Maybank Players Championship at the Impian Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
PETALING JAYA: Arie Irawan Fauzi was quick to put last week’s disappointment aside when he seized a three-stroke lead in the first round of the season-ending PGM Maybank Player’s Championship.
The 24-year-old Arie fired a bogey-free eight-under 64 at the Impiana Golf and Country Club as he went on a birdie spree, picking up three on his front nine and five on the back.
Last week, Arie missed the PGM MIDF KLGCC Championship cut and ruined his hopes to break into the top-five of the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit which would have secured him an early passage to Asian Tour next season.
“Actually I have been playing good lately. Last week, it was one of those bad days on the course,” explained Arie.
“No thanks to wrong strategy and silly decision to use a new driver that I didn’t really give myself time to test it yet, it cost me big time.
“But come to think about it, it wasn’t really that bad after all. I found something that clicked in my putting during the second round last week ... and it’s continuing this week.
“I’m still seeking my first victory on the PGM Tour and I really want to earn it here.
Defending champion R. Nachimuthu is second after shooting a five-under 67 as he piled up the pressure on Airil Rizman Zahari, who posted a 69 to be a further two-shot adrift, in their race for the Order of Merit crown.
The 43-year-old Nachimuthu was delighted with his solid round, which he mixed it with six birdies and a bogey.
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