Sole Singapore left in Round 2

Sole Singapore left in Round 2

4th September, Macau: Geraldine Ng became the sole Singaporean left in the Women's Open Round 2 Masters finals of the 2009 Macau China International Open after she squeezed into the top 16 in 13th position. Both Geraldine and Hui Fen started poorly in their first two games of the first block Friday morning. While Hui Fen struggled to find her rythmn, Geraldine recovered slightly to stay in sight to make the top 16 cut.

The 24-year-old Malaysian Open runnerup was 19th before her two final games and with sheer determination, the Singapore lass fired 223 and 234 to haul herself up to 13th position and crucially making the cut with 1613.

Hui Fen's final two games of 201 and 248 was a little too late as the 17-year-old Asian Youth Games two gold medalist settled for 22nd position with 1539. Koreans dominated the first round taking up the top 3 positions.   Lee Seung Ree topped the field with 1802, 31 pins ahead of compatriot, Kim Hyun Mi and Choi Hae Yum second and third just a single pin separating the two on 1771 and 1770. Hong Kong's Joey Yip and Indonesia's Putty Armein completd the top 5.

Over in the men's division, Remy Ong's late charge in the second half failed to secure the Singaporean a top 16 finish ending up in 22nd with 1653. Jason Yeong-Nathan finished a woeful 35th position with 1528.

PBAP Classic champion, Wu Siu Hong looked set to capture his second international title this year after topping the field with 1829. Perfect gamer, Surasak Manuwong took second spot with 1819 followed closely by Filipino Biboy Rivera third with 1814.   The top 16 men and top 16 women will contest the 8-game second round on Saturday with the top 4 from each division advancing to the stepladder finals.

Detailed scores: Women's Open Round 1 | Men's Open Round 1. Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.