National champion vying title
2nd June, Singapore: Reigning national champion, Bernice Lim of Singapore will be vying for her second consecutive title on home soil after a good qualifying position in the Women's Open Masters of the 44th Singapore International Open. The 19-year-old national bowler amassed a 6-game total of 1329 with 690 and 639 series and will surely be in a strong position to challenge for the women's crown in tomorrow's finals.
Although she was left out of the Asian Games squad, Bernice proved she has got what it takes to step up her performance by capturing the Doubles gold medal with Daphne Tan at the Asian CHampionship in Abu Dhabi in January this year.
2009 national champion, Fok Ka Wai remained in the lead in the local pool with 1383 ahead of two-time national champion, Jazreel Tan second with 1329. Singapore is well presented in the finals too.
Taking up fourth spot was 2008 AMF World Cup champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan with 1317 followed by Guangzhou Asian Games gold medalist, Geraldine Ng in fifth with 1297. Early leader, Daphne Tan finished sx=ixth with 1293.
Asian Games bronze medalist, New Hui Fen also has her sight on the title with a seventh place finish on 1291. Amanda Ng, Shayna Ng and Cherie Tan completed the top 10 in the local pool.
The top three positions in the overseas pool remained unchanged with newly-crowned Malaysian Open champion, Zandra Aziela followed by Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia and Lara Posadas of the Philippines second and third.
Over at the men's side, two-time Saudi Open champion, Remy Ong will lead Singapore's challenge after having secure top spot with 1419. Bejmain Lim and national rookie, Leong Ho Yun rounded the top 3.
Big changes were seen over in the overseas pool. Thailand's ex-national, Surasak Manuwong, who had led late last night, settled for third spot after two Aussies made their late charge today to take up the top 2 spots.
Glen Loader, who almost shot the tournament's second perfect game with 299, rolled a sizzling 777 to give himself a total of 1468 to take up pole position. Fellow compatriot, George Frilingos started off with 279 to end his high series with 735.
His effort put him second with 1423 behind Loader. Hong Kong's Wicky Yeung did well to improved to fourth with 1409 while Malaysian Open first runner-up, Yannaphon Larpapharat completed the top 5 with 1393.
The current cut for the men's open division stood at 1345 and being occupied by Hong Kong's Joshua Chow while in the women's division, the cut is held by Chinese Taipei's Wang Ya-Ting on 1231.Photos by Terence Yaw in Singapore.