Singapore Trails 2½ - 3½ in Ryder Cup-Style Showdown at Laguna National SINGAPORE, 20 JUNE 2014: Shaaban Hussin produced a timely masterstroke to give Malaysia a narrow advantage on the opening day of the second Prudential Causeway Trophy. In a dramatic finale to the foursomes matches at Laguna National Golf and Country Club, Shaaban conjured a wonderfully imaginative chip-in for an eagle-three at the par-five 18th. That secured him and Sukree Othman a tense one-hole win over Lam Chih Bing and Lam Zhi Qun and gave the visitors a 3½ - 2½ advantage heading into Saturday’s six fourball contests. “I’ll remember that shot for a long time,” said Shaaban, referring to the audacious chip which he deliberately struck firmly to catch a steep slope behind the flagstick that brought his ball back towards the cup. However, victory was only confirmed after Lam Zhi Qun’s putt for a matching three drifted past the hole. Chong Chee Ming, Malaysia’s non-playing captain, said: “What an incredible finish to the first day. There was some excellent golf and it’s all set up for a thrilling weekend. Our players are in high spirits and in a happy place” Malaysia enjoyed a flying start with Nicholas Fung and Khor Kheng Hwai racing to a 4&2 victory over Goh Kun Yang and Poh Eng Wah in the top match. But Quincy Quek and Marc Kawasoe gelled perfectly, sweeping to a 6&4 success against S. Sivachandhran and Kemarol Baharin to put the first point on the board for the hosts. The remaining three matches were much more closely contested. In the second game out, Koh Dengshan and Mardan Mamat set the pace early on against Iylia Jamal and Kenneth de Silva. One-up through 14 holes the wheels then came off for the Singaporeans in spectacular fashion as they carded four successive double-bogeys that allowed their opponents to edge home. Behind them, Choo Tze Huang and Cheng Ren Chiat held their nerve to eke out a two-up triumph against Danny Chia and Hans Jamil. Seemingly coasting at three-up through six, Choo and Cheng found themselves one-down after 13 holes. But with Chia and Jamil stumbling, the Singapore duo won both the 14th and 15th to move ahead once more, making sure of delivering a full point with a last-hole birdie. Meanwhile, Malaysian captain Chong confirmed that Rashid Ismail will be fit to take his place in Saturday’s fourballs. Rashid withdrew from the singles after jarring his back during a practice round on Wednesday. That meant the scheduled match between himself and Iain Steel and Singapore’s Madasamy Murugiah and Justin Han was declared a draw with both teams being awarded a half-point. Following six fourball matches on Saturday the Prudential Causeway Trophy will reach its climax with 12 singles clashes on Sunday. Entry to spectators is free of charge. PRUDENTIAL CAUSEWAY TROPHY, FOURSOMES RESULTS Friday, June 20 Goh Kun Yang/Poh Eng Wah (Singapore) lost to Nicholas Fung/Khor Kheng Hwai (Malaysia) 4&2 Koh Dengshan/Mardan Mamat (Singapore) lost to Iylia Jamal/Kenneth de Silva (Malaysia) 2&1 Choo Tze Huang/Chang Ren Chiat (Singapore) beat Danny Chia/Hans Jamil (Malaysia) 2-up Quincy Quek/Marc Kawasoe (Singapore) beat S. Sivachandhran/Kemarol Baharin (Malaysia) 6&4 Lam Chih Bing/Lam Zhi Qun (Singapore) lost to Sukree Othman/Shaaban Hussin (Malaysia) 1-down M. Murugiah/Justin Han (Singapore) v Rashid Ismail/Iain Steel (Malaysia) MATCH HALVED Score: Singapore 2½ Malaysia 3½ PRUDENTIAL CAUSEWAY TROPHY, FOURBALL PAIRINGS Saturday, June 21 7:30 am Lam Chih Bing/Lam Zhi Qun (Singapore) v Rashid Ismail/Hans Jamil (Malaysia) 7:42 am M. Murugiah/Goh Kun Yang (Singapore) v Nicholas Fung/Khor Kheng Hwai (Malaysia) 7:54 am Koh Dengshan/Mardan Mamat (Singapore) v Danny Chia/Iain Steel (Malaysia) 8:06 am Quincy Quek/Marc Kawasoe (Singapore) v Sukree Othman/Shaaban Hussin (Malaysia) 8:18 am Choo Tze Huang/Chang Ren Chiat (Singapore) v Iylia Jamal/Kenneth de Silva (Malaysia) 8:30 am Poh Eng Wah/Justin Han (Singapore) v S. Sivachandhran/Kemarol Baharin (Malaysia)
Posted on: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:24:28 +0000
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