National youth storms into the lead
2nd June, Singapore: National youth stormed into the lead of the the Men's Open Masters local qualifying table at the 42nd Singapore International Open taking over from team-mate, Gregory Gan on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Eugene posted lines of 251, 227, 248 and 259 for a total of 985, just one pin short of the overall leader, Naif Oqab of UAE.
"I had struggled in my earlier squads but after shooting 251 in the first game, I felt very comfortable with the line I was using," said the 20-year-old Eugene after his sixth attempt.
Eugene best effort in top flight was a fifth place finish in last year's Taipei Open although he had won a Trios bronze medal at the 2008 Asian Championship in Hong Kong. But the national youth had won several titles in the youth level and will be looking to land his first major title.
Eugene Low storming into the lead with 985
Overnight leader, Gregory Gan dropped to second with 974 followed by first perfect gamer and 2004 national champion, Helmi Chew in third with 948.
Meanwhile, last year's runnerup, Adrian Ang shot the tournament's second perfect 300 during the 2.30pm squad but his effort only gave him a total of 887 and in eighth position in the overseas pool.
UAE's Naif Oqab remained firmly in pole with 986 with Kuwait's Yaqoub Al-Shatti in second with 954. Reigning Malaysian national champion, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan shot 941 with lines of 194, 222, 236 and 289 to take up third.
Jaya Ancol's Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia and Thailand's Surasak Manuwong rounded up the top 5 with 931 and 921 respectively.
World Championship gold medalist, Esther Cheah started her 9.00am squad this morning with a superb 277 and followed it up with 215, 241 and 220 to round off a superb effort of 953 and taking over the lead in the overseas pool.
Overnight leader, Shalin Zulkifli settled for second with 918 and Zandra Aziela third with 918. The Malaysian women took up the top 5 positions after Choy Poh Lai and 2007 Singapore Open champion, Zatil Iman finished fourth and fifth spots with 894 and 864.
But the overall leader and the top 2 positions went to Daphne Tan and reigning World Cup champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan of Singapore with scores of 984 and 982. Teo Li Ying moved up to third with 917.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Daphne Aw and Kelvin Lee Wei Cheng captured the Girl's and Boy's Under-15 Masters titles contested this morning. Aw amassed a total of 1669 over the 8-game finals to finish ahead of Tracy See of SIngapore and Alyssa Marie B. Corpuz of the Philippines.
Kelvin totaled 1728 and an impressive average of 216 for a comfortable victory with Alexander Tan and Jaris Goh second and third.
Photos by Terence Yaw for SBF.