Takanari leads with Nachimuthu ready to pounce at PGM Labuan Championship

Labuan, Malaysia, August 15: Japan’s Takanari Iwama enjoyed the opening honours by firing a five-under-par 67 to grab the first round lead at the PGM Labuan Championship on Wednesday. 

The Japanese took a two-shot lead over Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippng, Malaysia’s R. Nachimuthu and Tarik Can of the United States after the trio ended the day with matching 69s at the Labuan International Golf Club.

Malaysia’s Brandon Lau had a round to remember as he enjoyed a bogey-free round of 70 to take outright fifth place at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) event on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).

Nachimuthu, who is still searching for his first win on the ADT, emerged as as the highest placed Malaysian by marking his card with four birdies and one bogey.

After finishing ninth at his last ADT event in Kuala Lumpur last month, the Malaysian believes that result, which is also his best one this season, has given him the confidence to do well.

“I’m hitting the ball much better and I feel good around the golf course today. This course is a very narrow one and I cannot attack the par-fives. So I need to plan my approach and strategy well. It’s still early days and I don’t want to look too far ahead just yet. But for today, I’m happy,” said Nachimuthu.

The PGM Labuan Championship takes place concurrently with the Taifong Open which will tee off at the Taifong Golf Course in Chinese Taipei this week.

All ADT events are afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status. The winner of each tournament receives a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Ends.