Indian Open champion Arjun Atwal retained his slender lead over the field at the halfway stage of the Benson & Hedges Malaysian Open, presented by Carlsberg, at Templer Park Country Club, Kuala Lumpur.
The American-educated 25 year old from Calcutta fired a second round 70 for a nine under par total of 135 to take the narrowest of advantages into a weekend which could see him dramatically increase his savings for his wedding on April 2.
Atwal, who went to school at Long Island, New York, at the age of 16, continued his golfing education in Kuala Lumpur with an impressive effort in difficult, humid conditions.
South African Nico van Rensburg carded a seven under par 65 to move into second place while Ireland’s Ryder Cup player, Padraig Harrington, lies in a tie for third place after his second sub-70 round.
Harrington, leaner and fitter than twelve months ago when he finished fourth in the same tournament, added a 69 to his opening 68 to finish on a total of 137, seven under par. He was joined on that mark by Denmark’s Steen Tinning (69) and China’s Zhang Lian-wei (71).
Atwal, though, was composed and focussed as he attempted to follow up his opening 65 with another good round. He said: “I didn’t feel any extra pressure on me. I just want to keep playing within myself for the next two days.”
The man who names Greg Norman as his sporting hero added: “My ultimate goal is to get onto the US Tour, but I definitely want to play the European Tour as the next step. I would love to play there so this weekend is a big weekend for me.”
Harrington admitted he did not especially worry about the humidity, which left many players looking as if they had just stepped out of a swimming pool, fully clothed. He is currently one year into a dedicated three year fitness campaign, and the tough regime is paying off.
The Dubliner said: “I had made some poor efforts to get fit in the past but my father has always encouraged me to get really fit. He was concerned about me suffering from burn-out and fatigue. He was a top class Gaelic footballer, so he’s well aware of the pressures of trying to play well all year.”
Denmark’s Soren Hansen shot a five under par 67 to tie for sixth on 138, six under par, one ahead of Scot Greig Hutcheon, who threatened to dismantle Templer Park early in the morning.
The Kent-based player, who claimed the 15th and final card from the Challenge Tour last season, raced to the turn in 30 strokes, six under par, to climb within a shot of Atwal, four hours before the Indian teed off in the second round.
However he came home in 37, one over par, but is still in a strong position and ready to employ the experience he gained while a teenager working for fun on Saturdays in the professional’s shop in Banchory near Aberdeen.
It was there that Hutcheon gathered something that money couldn’t buy – competitive experience as a regular playing partner of the then assistant pro, Paul Lawrie.
He said: “I was 14 or 15 and worked in the shop, selling tees and cleaning shoes. I played with Paul regularly for three years and only beat him once. I remember having my best-ever round there one day – a 64 – and he thrashed me. He went round in 57!
“Playing with the future Open champion and seeing how far he has gone has definitely been an inspiration to me.”
