SOUTH Korean Lee Ilhee maintained her charge in the Sime Darby LPGA Malayaia when she posted a six-under 65 second round for a 13-under 129 lead at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and country club yesterday.
And the fans are wondering is Korea is going to produce the fourth winner at the KLGCC after Kang Jimin 9-under 204 (2010), Choi Na Yeon 15-under 269 (2011) and Park Inbee also 15-under 269, lifted three consecutive titles at the KLGCC.
IIhee, who has a seven under first round, is already 13-under and looks like she is in love with the course.
She again sank seven birdies on the first, fourth, fifth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th and her only blemish was on the 16th.
"As I said after the first round, my target in this tournament is to shoot three-under in every round. On Thursday I did seven, and today (yesterday) six-under but it still does not change my taget of three-under for the remaining rounds. We will see how it goes," was IIhee's modest reply of her leading the stellar pack.
Not one to say much, IIhee loves uh-huh, yeah and fine for answers to most questions, but did say that her putter was the one that has been saving birdies for her.
"Yeah, he grain is very difficult here on the greens, so reading the greens are very difficult. But yeah, putting was good and the iron shots were also good for me."
And on her lone bogey on the 16th: "I pulled a driver, so I chipped out. It was OK, but I pushed the third shot," said IIhee.
Also alone on the second spot and just one stroke adrift is Lexi Thompson of the United States, who had a marvellous eight-under 63, for a 12-under 130 total.
However, her 63 was shattered by Amy Young of South Korea, who played a par-71 first round, but went nine-under 62 yesterday for a 134 total to be tied sixth.
Shanshan Fang of China is also alone on third, after she made six-under 65 for a 10-under 132 total. The Chinese stole the thunder when she watched a monitor lizzard (on television at the press room) crawling around the KLGCC greens.
"Oh! my god is that an alligator?" and when someone corrected her, she was at her best again.
"Oh, but do they like go up and charge and grab at people?"
Another explanation was made, and the China star was again at home with the course.
"Well it turned out to be kind of an interesting day, because I was again paired with IK (Kim, of South Korea), and when I saw her caddy Johnny this morning (yesterday) I told him lets meet at 10-under so we can play together again and now we do have a chance to play together for the third time in a row in the third round," said Shanshan.
IK Kim is tied fourth on 9-under 133.
However, it was not a great day for World No 1 and defending champion Park Inbee of South Korea who ended tied 39th after managing only a par-71 for a one-under 141 total.
It was also a bad day at office for World No 2 Suzann Pettersen of Sweden, who returned a three-under 68 for a seven-under 135 which left her adrift at tied-eighth.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Ilhee Lee leads SimeDarby LPGA
By Jugjet Singh
ILHEE LEE of South Korea grabbed the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) by its horns when she returned seven under par 64 to lead after day one of the LPGA Malaysian Sime Darby yesterday.
It was hot and humid, but the Korean belle was even hotter starting on the first hole when she avoided the bogies, and picked up birdies on the first, seventh, ninth, 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th.
And she was only trying to play a three-under game: "My goal coming into this tournament was to play three-under ever day, and looks like I overdid myself with seven."
The Korean finished joint-16th last year, and is no stranger to the course.
"Now that I have the lead, and also overdid my target for each day, I feel much more relaxed and it might just turn out to be a wondeful tournament for me if I keep up the momentum," said Ilhee.
Brittany Lang of the United States was heading for a tie with the leader, but bogied the last hole to finish six-under 65.
The lanky lady started on the 10th tee by sinking four birdies in a row, and then nailed another three on the 15th, 16th and first. The only blemish was on the final hole of the day.
"I went out and enjoyed myself and I also like this course very much because if you hit the fairway regularly, the score will follow.
"And after starting with four birdies, I had a wonderful time on the course, but pushed too hard in the final and lost a shot.
"But I'm not too disturbed by that (bogey) and after a good night's rest, I think I need to take in more fluids in the second round as it was really humid out there," said Brittany.
Standing at 5'8" Brittany has hit three holes-in-one in her career. Her first was a 7-iron from 106 yards off her very first golf tournament when she was 10. She won the tournament because she was the only female competing.
The leaderboard is cluttered with four golfers tied at joint-third on five-under 66, making the second round a much more challenging day.
Beatriz Recari of Spain, Paula Creamer of the US, Jodi Ewart of Scotland and Ji Eun-Hee of South Korea share the clutterd joint third.
Rolex Rankings No 2 Suzann Pettersen was adrift on tied-seventh on four-under 67 with seven other ladies.
World No 1 Inbee Park of South Korea, seeking to defend a title for the first time in her career, had a disappointing one-under 70 to be joint 28th. The 72-hole tournament does not have a cut.
ILHEE LEE of South Korea grabbed the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) by its horns when she returned seven under par 64 to lead after day one of the LPGA Malaysian Sime Darby yesterday.
It was hot and humid, but the Korean belle was even hotter starting on the first hole when she avoided the bogies, and picked up birdies on the first, seventh, ninth, 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th.
And she was only trying to play a three-under game: "My goal coming into this tournament was to play three-under ever day, and looks like I overdid myself with seven."
The Korean finished joint-16th last year, and is no stranger to the course.
"Now that I have the lead, and also overdid my target for each day, I feel much more relaxed and it might just turn out to be a wondeful tournament for me if I keep up the momentum," said Ilhee.
Brittany Lang of the United States was heading for a tie with the leader, but bogied the last hole to finish six-under 65.
The lanky lady started on the 10th tee by sinking four birdies in a row, and then nailed another three on the 15th, 16th and first. The only blemish was on the final hole of the day.
"I went out and enjoyed myself and I also like this course very much because if you hit the fairway regularly, the score will follow.
"And after starting with four birdies, I had a wonderful time on the course, but pushed too hard in the final and lost a shot.
"But I'm not too disturbed by that (bogey) and after a good night's rest, I think I need to take in more fluids in the second round as it was really humid out there," said Brittany.
Standing at 5'8" Brittany has hit three holes-in-one in her career. Her first was a 7-iron from 106 yards off her very first golf tournament when she was 10. She won the tournament because she was the only female competing.
The leaderboard is cluttered with four golfers tied at joint-third on five-under 66, making the second round a much more challenging day.
Beatriz Recari of Spain, Paula Creamer of the US, Jodi Ewart of Scotland and Ji Eun-Hee of South Korea share the clutterd joint third.
Rolex Rankings No 2 Suzann Pettersen was adrift on tied-seventh on four-under 67 with seven other ladies.
World No 1 Inbee Park of South Korea, seeking to defend a title for the first time in her career, had a disappointing one-under 70 to be joint 28th. The 72-hole tournament does not have a cut.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Pakistan out, Kiwis in...
MALAYSIA will open accounts against New Zealand in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi on Dec 6, after a small reshuffle in the groupings.
Earlier, Malaysia had Pakistan, England and South Africa for company in Group D, but Pakistan were moved to Group A, while New Zealand were the new replacements.
"We received the new fixtures from FIH (International Hockey Federation) and the only change in our Group was that New Zealand came to our Group, and Pakistan were moved to Group A," said national Juniors team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
After opening accounts against the Kiwis, Malaysia next play South Africa on Dec 7, and wrap up the Group fixtures against England on Dec 9.
The top-two teams from each group advances to the quarter-finals, and if Malaysia make the cut, they will play against Group C opponents which are likely either
Netherlands or hosts India. The other team in Group C are South Korea and Canada.
"Going by form, in the quarter-finals we are likely to meet India or Netherlands and this would be tough encounters either way.
"But we are prepared to finish among the top-five, and so have to beat even the hosts if it comes to that," said Mirnawan.
Malaysia drew 3-3 with India in the pool stages of the recent Sultan of Johor Cup, but were whipped 3-0 in the final.
But first, the Malaysian players need to beat all three teams in their group to top the standings, before planning for either India or Netherlands in the knock-out stage.
GROUP A -- Germany, Pakistan, Belgium, Egypt.
GROUP B --Australia, Spain, Argentina, France.
GROUP C -- Netherlands, India, South Korea, Canada.
GROUP D -- Malaysia, England, South Africa, New Zealand.
Earlier, Malaysia had Pakistan, England and South Africa for company in Group D, but Pakistan were moved to Group A, while New Zealand were the new replacements.
"We received the new fixtures from FIH (International Hockey Federation) and the only change in our Group was that New Zealand came to our Group, and Pakistan were moved to Group A," said national Juniors team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
After opening accounts against the Kiwis, Malaysia next play South Africa on Dec 7, and wrap up the Group fixtures against England on Dec 9.
The top-two teams from each group advances to the quarter-finals, and if Malaysia make the cut, they will play against Group C opponents which are likely either
Netherlands or hosts India. The other team in Group C are South Korea and Canada.
"Going by form, in the quarter-finals we are likely to meet India or Netherlands and this would be tough encounters either way.
"But we are prepared to finish among the top-five, and so have to beat even the hosts if it comes to that," said Mirnawan.
Malaysia drew 3-3 with India in the pool stages of the recent Sultan of Johor Cup, but were whipped 3-0 in the final.
But first, the Malaysian players need to beat all three teams in their group to top the standings, before planning for either India or Netherlands in the knock-out stage.
GROUP A -- Germany, Pakistan, Belgium, Egypt.
GROUP B --Australia, Spain, Argentina, France.
GROUP C -- Netherlands, India, South Korea, Canada.
GROUP D -- Malaysia, England, South Africa, New Zealand.
Monday, October 7, 2013
High-Five for hockey 5s..
A total of 12 teams competed in the event staged at the UPM Mini Turf and this form,at is currently promoted actively by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
“This is a good start and I hope more such events will be held all over the country,” said Tengku Abdullah.
“We shall leave it to those interested to promote this event and MHC will also get the states to organise such events.”
Tengku Abdullah said that he was taking the hands on approach to determine the training program of the various national teams as well and a meeting with coaches at every level.
“I want to listen directly to their plans and issues and find a way out. Next year is an important year for hockey.”
Results: Boys’ Final: 1Mas KL A 4 1Mas KL B 0; Third- Fourth: Gombak Viper 3 Sebastari Boys 0.
Girls’ Final: SMK Bukit Bandaraya 3 Gombak Avengers 0; Third-Fourth: SMK Sri Pantai 1 Sebastari Girls 0.
Special Awards (Boys):
Fairplay: 1Mas KL B
Best Player: Shafirul Akmal (1Mas KL A)
Best Goalkeeper: Amirul Aswad (1Mas KL A)
Top Scorer: Shafirul Akmal (1Mas KL A)
Special Awards (Girls)
Fairplay: Bukit Bandaraya Girls
Best Player: Kirandit Kaur (Bukit Bandaraya Girls)
Best Goalkeeper: Ramayani Rosli ( Gombak Avengers)
Top Scorer: Norsyaza Afikah (Bukit Bandaraya Girls)
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Mix-n-match for Perth 9s
MALAYSIA will be sending a mixed men’s side for the International Super Series Hockey 9s in Perth from Oct 17-20.
Defender Ahmad Kazamirul, midfielder Harwinder Singh, goalkeeper Khairulnizam Ibrahim and defender Amin Rahim will be among the motley-crew for the 9s hockey tournament.
All the above players did not play any part in major tournaments this year, but have been given another chance to prove themselves after their performance in the recent Razak Cup in Kuantan.
Some of the regular national players added to strengthen the squad are striker Tengku Ahmad Tajudin, No 2 goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin, midfielder Shahrun Nabil and defenders Baljit Singh and Razie Rahim.
Malaysia will also send a women’s side which will compete against world no 2 Argentina, Australia and Canada.
The men’s tournament will see Paul Revington’s side pitting their skills against world No 2 Australia, Pakistan and Argentina.
Australia has been in the forefront of promoting hockey 9s which will have nine instead of 11 players a-side, for a faster and more open field.
The tournament’s modified format will also have a larger goal-mouth, and 20 minute halves to provide the action in short, sharp, exciting bursts.
Defender Ahmad Kazamirul, midfielder Harwinder Singh, goalkeeper Khairulnizam Ibrahim and defender Amin Rahim will be among the motley-crew for the 9s hockey tournament.
All the above players did not play any part in major tournaments this year, but have been given another chance to prove themselves after their performance in the recent Razak Cup in Kuantan.
Some of the regular national players added to strengthen the squad are striker Tengku Ahmad Tajudin, No 2 goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin, midfielder Shahrun Nabil and defenders Baljit Singh and Razie Rahim.
Malaysia will also send a women’s side which will compete against world no 2 Argentina, Australia and Canada.
The men’s tournament will see Paul Revington’s side pitting their skills against world No 2 Australia, Pakistan and Argentina.
Australia has been in the forefront of promoting hockey 9s which will have nine instead of 11 players a-side, for a faster and more open field.
The tournament’s modified format will also have a larger goal-mouth, and 20 minute halves to provide the action in short, sharp, exciting bursts.
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