Singaporean still in the running

Singaporean still in the running

5th June, Singapore: Singapore's top title contender, Remy Ong is still in the running to make the Men's Open Masters stepladder finals of the 42nd Singapore International Open after finishing sixth on Friday.  Singapore's Lionel Lim and Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong shared the lead with a superb 259 opening game, just 1 pin from Malaysia's Aaron Kong in second and Mohd Noer Said in close company. But their lead only last the first game after Aaron followed it up with 235 in the second game to take over the running.

Aaron continued relentlessly with 223 and 224 yet was overtaken by compatriot and last year's runner-up, Adrian Ang by 1 pin at the halfway mark. But Aaron bounced back with 219 and 204 in the fifth and sixth games to regain the lead, 3 pins ahead of Hong Kong's Cyrus Cheung closing in.

A strong 236 from Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong saw the Asian champion taking over the lead with American PBA bowler, Seas Rash making his bid after a sizzling 268 in the seventh game and Adrian still in third.

But Wu prevailed to end with 233 which was good enough for him to top the field with a total of 1821. Shaker Al-Hassan of UAE stormed home to snatch second spot with 1791 while Adrian settled for third with 1784.

"Not the best of start and an aweful game in the second after I tried to make changes to my line," said the two-time World Champion, Remy Ong, who finished a respectable sixth position with 1748.

"I was constantly making changes and I had a big break in the sixth game where I shot 256. That game should have been higher, had I not ended the last frame with a split. Sixth is not bad considering the strong field here.

"It's a good position for tomorrow's second block and all I've to do is to make sure I've consistent scores when the high games don't come. You'll never know, this may be my lucky year.

Cyrus Cheung, who made the finals from last night's desperado squad, did well to finish fourth with 1765 while pace-setter, Aaron Kong fizzled off to end up in fifth with 1763. Singapore's top contender, Remy Ong stormed home for sixth position with 1748.

American PBA, Sean Rash dropped to seventh after a disastrous final game of 151 and his compatriot, Tim Mack who missed a perfect game by 1 pin in the seventh game, managed only a 12th place finish. Defending champion, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE ended up in 15th position.

Lionel Lim was the other Singaporean to have finished in the top 10 with eighth placing on a total of 1723. Others were Gregory Gan (11th-1691), Shaun Ng (tie 15th-1676), Benjamin Hong (21st-1650) and Paiman Dali (24th-1641).

Those outside the top 24 were Jaime Liew (26th-1635), benamin Lim (27th-1628), Eugene Low (31st-1606), Helmi Chew (tie 34th-1572), Ng Tiac Pin (40th-1527) and Andrew Lee (41st-1516). The bowlers will continue their second block finals at 9.00am on Saturday and the women will contest their first block later at 6.00pm.

Photos by Terence Yaw for SBF.