Thailand’s 17-Under-Par 199 Today Catapulted Them To The Top Of The Leaderboard

Kuala Lumpur, November 9, 2017 – Thailand jumped ahead of first round joint leader, New Zealand to take the lead after Day Two of the Nomura Cup 2017 currently underway at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club. Thailand finished 17-under-par 199 today contributed by Sadom Keawkanjana and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai who each returned with 6-under-par 66 and Kosuke Hamamoto with 5-under-par 67. Meanwhile, Thailand’s fourth player, Kammalas Namuangruk only managed even-par 72 today.

“I made a small mistake on the back nine at hole 13 where I made a bogey,” said Sadom Keawkanjana of Thailand. “Though I didn’t make any mistake on the front nine but my putting was better on the back nine with 5 birdies.”

“The course was superb and in an immaculate condition. It was a pleasure to play in a course designed by the Golden Bear,” added Sadom.

South Korea cruised to second place after finishing strong with 11-under-par 205 for 20-under-par 412 two-day tournament total, 9-stroke behind the leader. South Korea was represented by Kyubeom Jun (70, 67-137), Dong-Min Kim (70, 67-137), Seung – Bo Jang (75, 66 – 141) and Chan-Min Jung (69, 73 – 142).

Conducted by the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA), the Asia Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Nomura Cup is a 72-hole stroke play event being played on the par-72, 6,991-yard Jack Nicklaus Course at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club. The 92-player field features top male amateurs from Australia, Bahrain, Chinese –Taipei, China, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Kyrgysztan and the host, Malaysia who are members of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation.

Considered as one of the most prestigious amateur golf team championships in the region, the Nomura Cup is often regarded as the final benchmark for top amateur players contemplating their next move in the game. Often, it serves as the ultimate checkpoint for these players before setting on their journey in the paid ranks.

Malaysian Afif Fathi continued to play steady with 1-under-par 71 today to finish 5-under-par 139 two-day tournament total. Rhaasrikanesh who carded 1-over-par 73 yesterday, returned with even-par 72 to contribute to the overall team score. Team Captain, Chan Tuck Soon played 1-stroke better today with 1-over-par 73. Afif Razif who scored 2-under-par 70 yesterday, only managed to card 3-over-par 75 for 1-over-par 145 two-day total. Malaysia dropped 5 places to finish 12th after Round Two of the Nomura Cup after carding 211, 216 for 427 two-day tournament total.

“I made 2 bogeys and 2 birdies on the front nine and another birdie on the back nine,” said Afif Fathi. “Rather than wondering what I could do better today, I will focus instead on the next rounds of the Championship.”

Kazuya Osawa of Japan led the 92-player field with 10-under-par 134 (67, 67).

Third-round tee times for the 28th Nomura Cup at Kuala Lumpur will run from 7.30-10.05 a.m., off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at the Sungai Long Golf & Country Club Jack Nicklaus course. For more information, please contact Bambang at 6017-2583826.

Top 3 Results

Team

Thailand – 204, 199 – 403
South Korea – 207, 205 – 412
Australia – 211, 202 – 413
Japan – 209, 204 – 413