Ka Tung grabs two-shot lead

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KUCHING: Two-time champion Lee Ka Tung got off to a fine start in the Samarahan Open at the Samarahan Country Club yesterday when he fired a one-over 73 to grab a two-stroke lead.

Lee Ka Tung led the Samarahan Open by two strokes on the first day of the competition at SCC yesterday.

The ace from Sibu Golf Club, who is gunning for a hat-trick in this tournament vying for the Brian Chien Chai Ung Challenge Trophy, came back with 38 strokes on the Garden course and 35 strokes on the Jungle course.

He did a two-over on the Garden course but recovered with a one-under score at the tougher Jungle course. Ka Tung bogeyed the 2nd hole and 5th hole and birdied hole 12.

In second spot is Aw Yong Jhie Jgin while Ka Tung’s brother Ka Tiong is a stroke further back with a 76 to share joint third spot with Magit Semong.

Defending champion Lau Ching Leong, also from Sibu Golf Club, was not in his element as he carded an eight-over 80 which placed him in a tough spot to recover.

Samdrick Yeo from SCC with a handicap 11 is leading the pack with a 69 score for the nett event followed by Terence Chai on 71.

In the newly-introduced two-man team event, Aw Yong Jhie Jgin from Sibu Golf Club and Lee Ka Tiong from Kelab Golf Bintulu lead the pack with a combined score of 76 and 76 for a total of 151, followed by the Lee brothers Kah Ming and Ka Tung with score of 80 and 73 for a total of 153.

The fourth edition of the Samarahan Open saw 100 players tee-ing from 7.30am in a perfect morning weather with a Mercedes Benz car, RM10,000 cash and Callaway Iron Sets at stakes for the four par -3 Holes.

The players will continue today with their second round followed by the final round tomorrow.

This is the first time the championship will continue without any cut-off mark which marks new beginning for golf which ensures all participants a 54-hole event.

The VVIP contest will be held in the afternoon with former deputy chief minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam as the guest of honour.

Chan will also grace the prize presentation lunch on the final day.

The president of SCC who is also the sponsor of the championship Brian Chien was very happy with the course condition and speed of the greens which was well received by all participants.