Matthew Millar
Millar shot a course record 63 on the first day of the firts event in the 2011 OneAsia season.
“It was all right but I did not play that well today to be honest,” he said. “I had some loose shots here and there.
“For some reason it is very hard to follow a really low round with another one. You’d think you would be able to follow up by shooting at least three under but I am not disappointed with two under. I holed some good putts again.”
The 34-year-old made four birdies and two bogeys to put himself in a great position to produce his finest tournament performance since turning professional in 2002.
The 34-year-old made four birdies and two bogeys to put himself in a great position to produce his finest tournament performance since turning professional in 2002.
Griffin is also looking for his first win as a professional.
“I gave myself a heap of chances and should have finished a lot lower. I am really disappointed to finish bogey, bogey. I three-putted eight and on nine I hit in the water off the tee,” said Griffin.
The Australian, who turned professional in 2008 finished second in the Victorian Open this year which was first event of the season in Australia.
One of the highlights of the week so far has been the performance of young Indonesian Rory Hie. He is in joint third place with China’s Wu Ashun.
Hie, 22, fired his second 68 on a course where he won his first title as a professional The International Championship on the ASEAN PGA Tour in 2008. He is three strokes behind Millar.
“I always have good vibes coming here. I also finished second here last year in a local event when I shot 12 under and I shot 10 under when I won here,” said Hie, who played college golf for the University of Southern California.”
Wu is another youngster impressing this week after returning a 67.
The 25-year-old said: “I am satisfied with my game today. I played pretty well these two days, but it could have been better if not for the two bogies that I made — that was bad judgement.”
Liang Wenchong, the pre-tournament favourite who won the OneAsia Order of Merit last year with two victories, shot a 67 to sit on the shoulder of the leader four shots back.
