Thai-phoon Kiradech behind US players...

AMERICANS Chris Stroud and Ryan Moore claimed a slim one-stroke lead going into the final round of the CIMB
Classic at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, but hot on their heels is Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
    Stroud returned four-under 68, while Moore had three-under 69 for combined totals of 12-under 204 for the joint-
lead.
   But Kiradech and United States golfer Gary Woodland, who had three-under 69 and five-under 67 for a three-day
combined total of 11-under 205 are within striking distance for a big payout in the RM22 million rich tournament.
   And it looks like its going to be anybody's title today, as Jerry Kelly of the United States is
alone at 10-under, while three other players are also a close nine-under.
   The winner today will receive a handsome cheque of US$1.26 million, playing rights on the PGA Tour for
essentially the next three years, a place at the Masters Tournament next April plus a host of other invitations.
    Moore was disappointed with a poor stretch on the back nine where he dropped four shots over five holes after
turning in 31.
    “It was almost two different days out there. I really got going, really hot early, making a lot of putts and making a
lot of birdies.  And then just kind of hit a pretty rough stretch there in the middle,” said Moore.
    “I've obviously been playing some pretty good golf this week. It's been a little up and down these last couple
days, but I have enough positives that I've just got to kind of keep doing exactly what I'm doing.”
    Stroud hit four birdies in a row from the fifth hole to launch himself into contention on a day when the leaders
came back into the field through dropped shots on the more challenging back nine on the West course.
   “I really hung in there, gave myself a lot of good looks and I got on a good tear there. There's a lot of wedges, but
I'll tell you what, if you do not hit a fairway, you're going to struggle to make par, and that's really my focus,” he
said.
    Kiradech, the current Asian Tour number one, ended his game with an anxious wait at the end of his round to
review television footages of an incident at the 13th hole when his ball moved.
   But after being cleared by the rules officials, the talented 24-year-old will now shoot for his biggest career victory
yet, and also his second title on the West course after winning the Malaysian Open here in March.
     “I feel really pleased with the way I'm playing.  It was a good start, three days in a row on the front nine, but
struggling a bit on the back. Three rounds, kind of mixed golf on the back nine.  But I'm working on my putting a lot
from yesterday, and that helped. I’m happy with three under, and just a good chance which I'll try to catch up in the
final round,” said Kiradech, who made three birdies and an eagle in his opening 10 holes before dropping a double
bogey on 14.
    “I’m just going to try to play my game, stick to my game plan and just play on my form,” said Kiradech. “I don't
want to look at the leaders too much, so if you look at the score, maybe the results are so tough to make the score.
Just try to focus, play and enjoy the final round.
    “I don't want to put a lot of pressure to me. Like I said, I just want to play  good golf, have fun.”
   It wasn’t quite a fun finish when Kiradech was asked to review the incident on the 13th. He later explained: “I had
my mark on the ball, and I put the ball always in the centre. When I walked to the ball, I only looked at the pin. First
time I looked back at the ball, I could see my marker not being on the centre. Normally it is, and I'm sure my ball is
moving.  I walk in and just walk out and called the rules (official), and I'm really sure that I haven't touched the club
before the ball moved. There was no penalty,” said Kiradech, who will play in the penultimate group in the final
round.
      Overnight leader Keegan Bradley struggled to a 76 to fall three shots off the pace while world number three Phil
Mickelson shot his week’s best round to date with a 68 to lie five behind the leaders alongside South Korea’s K.J. Choi in equal 11th place.

Bradley takes over CIMB Classic reigns..

By Jugjet Singh

AMERICAN Keegan Bradley had baseball on his mind when he grabbed the lead at the RM22 million CIMB Classic
when he posted a second round score of six-under 66 for a two round total of 13-under 131 at the Kuala Lumpur
Golf and Country Club yesterday.
   Lying second after the opening round, he overtook overnight leader Ryan Moore, also from the United States by a
slim four shot lead.
    Moore, who had a super nine-under 63 course record opening round, could only manage an even par, for a 135
total -- but it was good enough for the second spot.
   Tied-third was Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who shot a three-under 69 for an eight-under 136 two-round total.
He shared the spot with American Chris Stroud, who also had a three-under 69 yesterday.
    Bradley, a three-time PGA Tour winner, has 14 birdies and only has one bogey to show after 36 holes, at the Par
Four 13th hole yesterday.
   "These two rounds were really fun and I played some of the best golf after a long time. So these have been a
couple of really fun days and obviously, I'm in a great spot here with two more rounds to go," said Bradley.
    And what was on his mind as he posted six burdies while many of the top players in the field fell apart?
   "Well, I was also keeping abreast of the World Series where my favourite team Boston Red Sox were playing at
about the same time as me. My girlfriend, Jullian, is a big Red Sox fan too and she was giving me updates as best
as she could.
   "It is tough that we did not get to watch the World Series, even though I know there will be a replay later today
(yesterday), but its more fun knowing what's going on live, in the end I heard they losy 4-2," said Bradley.
   "On Thursday when I shot seven-under, the Red Sox won and I got a bunch of texts from some of the guys that
play and they were all excited. And I also know that my mom back home was also flipping (TV) back and forth
watching baseball and golf!," said the CIMB Classic leader.
     Back to golf, Bradley said the humidity does not bother him, as he lives in the same conditions back home.
    "It is very hot here, but I love in Florida and it humid in summertime. Here it is hotter for sure, but I'm quite used
to it.
    "Today (yesterday) I was in control of my golf so that is really a good sign going into the weekend. I'm very
excited with the way I'm hitting the ball, and when I'm hitting like this, normally I'm going to be right in there
contending for the title, and that could be the case here," said Bradley.
    Moore, making his third consecutive CIMB Classic appearance, finished tied-fifth in 2010, and withdrew during
the final round in 2011.
     "Well obviously It wasn't the round I was looking for. But amazingly, I actually controlled the ball really well but
could not make the putts that I wanted. I was happy with my ball striking, but just didn't bury those 8 to 12 footers,
which was my range on the greens today (yesterday)," said Moore.
    But he is still in contention going into the weekend.
    "It's hard sometimes when you feel you've hit a really low score, but I've got to look at the positive side that I'm
closest to the leader. Going to sleep early and waking up like 4am to go get a nive workout might just make my day
better in the third round," said Moore.

Scores after round 2 of the 2013 CIMB Classic being played at the par 72, 6924 Yards Kuala Lumpur GCC course (a- denotes amateur):

131 - Keegan Bradley (USA) 65-66.

135 - Ryan Moore (USA) 63-72.

136 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 67-69, Chris Stroud (USA) 67-69.

137 - Sergio Garcia (ESP) 66-71, Marc Leishman (AUS) 72-65.

138 - Martin Laird (SCO) 68-70, Harris English (USA) 71-67, Chris Kirk (USA) 67-71, Gary Woodland (USA) 68-70, Stewart Cink (USA) 70-68, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-68.

139 - Bill Haas (USA) 72-67, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 70-69, K.J. Choi (KOR) 68-71, Graham DeLaet (CAN) 72-67, Shiv Kapur (IND) 69-70.

140 - Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 73-67, Josh Teater (USA) 74-66, Jerry Kelly (USA) 71-69, Jeff Overton (USA) 73-67, Kyle Stanley (USA) 73-67, Kevin Stadler (USA) 71-69, Nicholas Thompson (USA) 69-71.

141 - Charles Howell III (USA) 69-72, Phil Mickelson (USA) 71-70, Boo Weekley (USA) 67-74, Tim Clark (RSA) 72-69, Charley Hoffman (USA) 69-72, Billy Horschel (USA) 72-69, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 67-74, Camilo Villegas (COL) 70-71.

 

Moore tears KLGCC apart with nine-under 63

By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nstp.com.my

RYAN Moore of the Unites states tore the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) greens to pieces when he returned a fiery nine-under 63 to lead the US$7million CIMB Classic.
   It was a course record at the KLGCC West Course, as the previous low score was a 62 achieved by Raphael Jacquelin from France in the Third Round of the 2006 Malaysian Open, but the course has undergone major renovation since.
   His round had 10 birdies, and the blemish was a sloe bogey at the Par Four No 1, his starting hole.
  "This is my third (CIMB) tournament and starting with a nine-under is any golfers dream, and I hope to carry the momentum into the weekend play," said Moore.
   He came into the tournament after a tied-ninth spot in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last weekend, and said it helped keep him focussed.
   "It was a good finish last weekend, and after finishing in the top-10 bracket, I felt good coming to Malaysia. However, I only got a chance to practice during the Pro-Am and that was an excellent break because this is quite a difficult course and one needs to play at least once here to get used to it," said Moore.
   His previous two CIMB Classic tournaments were at the Mines Golf and Coutry Club, which Moore said was much easier to read.
   "Personally, is you ask me to compare between the Mines and the KLGCC, it is more difficult here as the fairways are narrow and the roughs very much thicker. And some of the downhill tee shots are really difficult to judge, while the bunkers are placed in positions that will trap you if you are not focussed," said Moore.
   Even with such challenging conditions, the American still managed to shoot a low score and will be the man to beat during the weekend play.
    Second and two strokes adrift at seven-under 65 was another American Keegan Bradley, while third was Spaniard Sergio Garcia at six-under 66.
   Bradley said it was one of his better rounds of the year, and he loves playing at this challenging course.
    "I had a really great day, as I was super relaxed from the start.  Really one of my best rounds of the year after I put my clubs away for a few days. But I still have a lot of work to do this season, as I have set a lot of goals that I want to accomplish," said Bradley.
    It was his first time in Malaysia: "And I really like it here in Malaysia, and this course especially. Being here for the first time, made the schedule a little different, but Im settling in fast," said the American.
    And after a seven-under, he plans to keep the momentum going with more consistent play.
   "This course is very difficult because the rough is high, the greens are really firm but I hit the fairways most of the time and that made the difference.
    "I think the guy that hits the most fairways is going to win this tournament, and thats what I will aim for in the remaining rounds," said Bradley.


   Selected 1st Rd Scores:

Scores after round 1 of the 2013 CIMB Classic being played at the par 72, 6924 Yards Kuala Lumpur GCC course (a- denotes amateur):

63 - Ryan Moore (USA).

65 - Keegan Bradley (USA).

66 - Sergio Garcia (ESP).

67 - Rory Sabbatini (RSA), Boo Weekley (USA), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Chris Kirk (USA), Chris Stroud (USA).

68 - Gary Woodland (USA), K.J. Choi (USA), Martin Laird (SCO).

69 - Charley Hoffman (USA), Nicholas Thompson (USA), Shiv Kapur (IND), Charles Howell III (USA).

70 - Stewart Cink (USA), Hideki Matsuyama (JPN), Camilo Villegas (COL), Richard H. Lee (USA), Wade Ormsby (AUS).

71 - Jerry Kelly (USA), John Huh (USA), Lucas Glover (USA), Russell Henley (USA), Kevin Stadler (USA), D.A. Points (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA), Harris English (USA).

 

Valuable lessons in India defeat..

Close shave for team manager Mirnawan Nawawi in New Delhi..

THE national juniors had a fantastic acclimatation practice in the three-test series against India at the World Cup
venue, and lost narowly 2-1 to the potential medallists at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on Monday night.
   Coach K. Dharmaraj's side lost all three matches, but there was improvement in every department in the 4-2, 4-3
and then the one-goal defeat in the last match.
   The team are in their final phase of preparations for the World Cup, on Dec 6-15, where they are grouped with
England, New Zealand and South Africa in Group D.
   India, Netherlands, South Korea and Canada are in Group C, and the hosts are potential cross-over opponents in
the quarter-finals stage.
   "In the last match, the boys did not conceede any penalty corners, and  won five instead. But again, poor shooting
in the semi-circle was the bane, while India were sharp with the handful of chances that came their way," said team
manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
   The venue acclimation provided the players an opportunity to get used to the pitch lighting, as well as the bouncy
condition of the pitch.
   "The ball bounces differently on Pitch I, and also Pitch II, and the players finally got adjusted to the conditions in
the third test, but a late surge from India denied Malaysia a well-deserved draw. Also, the lighting is very different
from what we have in Malaysia, especially when the players look up to stop overhead balls. But after three matches,
the players now know what to expect when they play there again during the World Cup," said Mirnawan.
     Ramandeep Singh gave India the lead in the 18th minute, but Haziq Samsol scored a field goal to equalise in the
65th minute. However, Malak Singh scored the winner for his side in the 67th minute.
   India fielded the Sultan of Johor Cup gold medal side, with only three changes. Malaysia were soundly beaten 3-0
then, but have shown improvement in the three-test series.
    There was some good play by the Malaysian side, only to lose out on poor shooting. An example to moot was in
the second half when Fitri Shaari penetrate the middle of the field and beat three Indian defenders, after which he
released the ball to Shahril Saabah whose deflection was just inches wide.
     "A few decisions of the umpire were suspect especially in the semi-circle, however with the video referral
available during the World Cup, that would no longer be an issue," said Mirnawan.
    "Overall it was the best performance as Malaysian denied India any penalty coorners in 70 minutes, and the only
difference between both sides was that the Indian players are more clinical the semi circle, as well as a superb
display by their goalkeeper to deny Malaysia's five penalty corner attempts," said Mirnawan.
     There was a penalty shoot-out practice after the match, which India won 3-1.

Dharma's boys close India gap..

MALAYSIAN juniors improved yet again in the second test against India, when they lost 4-3 at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday night.
    The first test saw then go down 4-2, and coach K. Dharmaraj’s boys lost out on penalty corner defending in the second test.
    Malaysia are in New Delhi to not only get a feel of the World Cup venue, from Dec 6-15, but also spar against their possible quarter-finals opponent.
    India, the Sultan of Johor Cup champions after they beat Malaysia 3-0 at the Taman Daya Stadium, are in the cross-over group for Malaysia in the World Cup.
   The other teams which Malaysia might meet in the last eight are The Netherlands, South Korea and Canada -- who make up Group C.
    Malaysia are in Group D with England, New Zealand and South Africa.
    “There was more improvement in our side, but two matters are still a bother. One is penalty corner defending, as India scored two, while the second is to sharpen the forwards finishing.
    “And we are looking to tighten the two areas in our last test today,” said Dharmaraj.
     Malaysia had five penalty corners and scored two, while India only had three and converted two.
    Meor Azuan scored a field goal in the 19th minute, while
Zulhairi Hashim scored off penalty corner flicks in the 23rd and 61st minutes.
   The India goals were scored by Affan Yousuf (35th), Gurjinder Singh (40th), Sukhmanjit Singh (47th) and Mandeep Singh (49th).
     Malaysia took a 2-0 lead, but gave India the break just as the half-time hooter blew: “In the 31st min Syamin Yusof received a green card and India took the imbalance opportunity to narrow the gap. It resulted from a miss-trap by Shazril Irwan at the top of the semi-circle, and Affan Yousuf collected the ball and coolly slotted home.
    “That is the kind of play which we cant’ afford in the World Cup, and I will drill it into my players mind,” said Dharmaraj.
    And a case of blunt strikes was Syamin Yusof, who had a chance to level the score in 68th mins with only the India goalkeeper to beat but yet again, he shot wide.