Wielding a hot putter, R. Nachimuthu charged up the leaderboard on the final day of the Iskandar Johor Open 2011 National Qualifier at the 6,927 metre, par 72 Pulai Springs Resort today.
Nachimuthu started the day four strokes off the lead, but an impressive round of four under par round of 68 saw him finish on top of the leaderboard alongside Wilson Choo (72) and M. Sasidaran, who shot a round of 70 for a two day total of two under par 142.
“I’ve hit the ball well these two days, but my putting was better today,” said Nachi, 40, who fired birdies at the sixth, eighth, 10th, 11th and 14th holes, with a bogey at the 12th hole the only blemish in an otherwise flawless display.
Nachimuthu, who has already won twice on Malaysia’s domestic circuit this year, hoped for a better showing at the tournament this year, and will spend the next two weeks honing his game with coach, Andrew Argus.
“This is the third time I’ve qualified for the Iskandar Johor Open and I hope I can do better this year,” said Nachimuthu, who missed the cuts on two previous appearances. “The event is bigger with a stronger field and better players, and it will be an experience playing against the top players.”
Starting rather nervously with two successive bogeys, on the third and fourth holes, Choo was understandably pleased to survive the qualifier and book his slot for a maiden appearance at the Iskandar Johor Open this year.
“I didn’t even think about winning, just played my normal game but I’ve to say, nerves got the better of me at the start,” said Choo, who recovered well with a birdie on the fifth hole to set his day going.
“I chipped in for birdie at the seventh and that boosted my confidence, and I’m happy to have made the grade,” added Choo, who will spend the next two weeks preparing for the biggest event of his fledgling professional career.
Sasidaran, 35, meanwhile was looking forward to another successful appearance at the Iskandar Johor Open. Last year he finished a creditable tied 33rd, and with an even bigger prize purse on offer this year, he hopes to do even better.
“The championship boasts of a strong field this year, but I think I’ve the game to improve on my result last year,” said Sasidaran, who is having a solid season having finished second three times on Malaysia’s domestic tour and twice on the Asian Development Tour.
S. Murthy shot a 68 to finish on one under par 143 alongside S. Sivachandran, who mustered a 71. Other players who qualified were Nicholas Fung on one over par 145 and Haziq Hamizan on two over par 146.
Three players – Mohd Sukree Othman, P. Gunasagaran and Khor Kheng Wai – finished on three over par 147, forcing a play-off for the last available slot, which was taken by Sukree on the first extra hole.
The fifth edition of the Iskandar Johor Open boasts a stellar field, with three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington defending his title against some stellar names which include eight-time European Number One, Colin Montgomerie. Other marquee names include Camilo Villegas, Anthony Kim, Henrik Stenson and Thongchai Jaidee.
The 2011 Iskandar Johor Open will feature a field of 156 players consisting of 67 players each from The European and Asian Tours, plus eight sponsors’ invitations, eight national qualifiers and six international qualifiers, all vying for the first prize of US$317,000.
