Singapore youngster takes over pole

Singapore youngster takes over pole

30th May, Singapore: Singapore National youth, Gregory Gan took over the lead of the Men's Open Masters local qualifying pool of the 42nd Singapore International Open at Superbowl SAFRA Mount Faber on Saturday.  The 16-year-old Gan posted a sizzling 974 to move into pole position ahead of Andrew Lee and overnight leader, Jaime Liew. Andrew Lee, who had overtaken Jaime earlier, settled for second with a superb 947 while Jaime's 945 dropped him to third.

Former national champion, Helmi Chew took fourth spot with 937 as Bahrain Open champion, Remy Ong improved on his earlier attempt of 856 to 926 for fifth place. 2006 National champion, David Wong finished sixth with 924.

UAE's Naif Oqab remained the overall leader and led the overseas pool with 986 posted two days ago. India's Vijay M Punjabi notched up 849 to move into second spot ahead of Malaysia's Alex Liew third with 845.

Singapore's Ng Chiew Pang became the first bowler to surpass the 1,000-mark when he shot s scintillating 1001 to lead the Youth Boy's standings. India's Shabbir A Dhankot snatched second spot with a superb 932 with Gragory Gan third with 927.Meanwhile, Daphne Tan Shi Jing maintained her pole position in the Women's Open division with a superb 984 to lead reigning World Cup champion and Sportswomen of the Year, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan in second with 982.

Two-time Singapore national champion, Jazreel Tan finished third with 895 ahead of last year's third runnerup, Shayna Ng and Bernice Lim fourth and fifth on scores of 868 and 863 respectively.

Last year's first runnerup, Zandra Aziela of Malaysia posted an improved 899 to take over the lead in the overseas pool to lead 2007 Asia Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Korea in second with 835.

Overnight leader and newly-crowned World Ranking Masters champion, Siti Safiyah AMirah settled for third with 803 folllowed by India's Sabeena Salem and Malaysia's Wendy Chai fourth and fifth.

Qualifying continue through to June 4 and the Masters finals over two blocks of 8 games will be staged on May 5 and 6. The top 6 women and top 6 men at the end of the finals will advance into the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw for SBF.