MURAKAMI MOUNTS CHALLENGE IN MALAYSIA
One of the region’s most exciting golfing prospects Artemio Murakami from the Philippines joined compatriot Michael Bibet in the lead at the halfway mark of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia today.
Murakami, who recorded a breakthrough victory last year on Malaysian soil when he won the Asian Tour’s Johor Open, carded a five-under-par 67 while Bibet shot a 71.
Filipino Anthony Lascuna, the joint first round leader with Bibet, came in with a 72 to lie one stroke behind at Saujana Golf and Country Club, near Kuala Lumpur.
“I have been hitting it great for a while now but my putting has been killing me. Today I finally made some putts which is a relief as it has been a while. Still missed a few though,” said Murakami, who shares the lead on six-under-par 138.
A bogey on the first was soon forgotten when he made four birdies in a row from the fourth and picked up other birdies on 11 and 13. He also chipped in for a par on the par-three 14th.
The 25 year old, whose father is Japanese, hit the headlines when he qualified for the US Open last month. However apart from that he has struggled with his game since winning in Johor last August, which was his first Asian Tour triumph.
“There has been a lot of pressure on me since winning in Johor. I think I have been pushing myself too hard and I am now just trying to be myself again. It’s nice be back in Malaysia I must say where I have a few fans,” added Murakami.
The former Philippine Amateur champion caddied for his country’s most famous golfing son Frankie Minoza on the Japan Tour in 2003 before turning professional in 2005.
Bibat carded five birdies and four bogeys to continue to impress in first season as a professional. Lascuna had a turbulent round of one eagle, three birdies and five bogeys.
Malaysia’s Ben Leong and Rashid Ismail are two off the lead after shooting rounds of 68 and 70 respectively.
Leong, competing in his first Mercedes-Benz Tour event, dropped just one shot on the Bunga Raya course and closed in on the leaders with a birdie on the final hole.
Malaysian Danny Chia added a 73 to his first round 77 to lie six over for the tournament.
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