Foo battles tricky conditions to become joint-leader

Difficult conditions made it a trying day for golfers in the second round of the South-east Asian Golf Team Championship yesterday.

But, despite frequents gusts of wind and a constant drizzle throughout the day, Singapore's Gregory Foo stood tall at Tanah Merah Country Club's Garden Course, shooting a one-under 69 to claim a share of the Putra Cup individual event lead with Kammalas Namuangruk (71) of Thailand.

Singapore (415) are also setting the pace in the team event, although they are now only one shot ahead of the Thais.

It all points to an enthralling final two days of competition.

"Overall, I'm quite happy with how I went," Foo said, with a contented smile.

"It was tricky with the wind and rain, so to shoot an under-par score, I can't really ask for more.

"Both the team and I are feeling confident for the next two days.

"We're still leading in the team event, but only by one shot…

"We have everything to play for and it's going to be very exciting."

The 22-year-old could even have taken the sole lead in the individual event had his short game had been sharper.

"I felt that I hit the ball pretty decent and put myself in some good positions, but I wasn't able to take advantage," said Foo.

"I just didn't putt as well as I could have and wasn't as sharp around the greens, so that's what I'm going to work on."

The talented golfer preferred to stay upbeat and focus on the next two days.

"The mindset (for today) is just to play my best and shoot as low a score as I can… Maybe even a tournament low or something," he said.

"I can't control what Kammalas does, so I just need to focus on playing to my best ability."

Kammalas has emerged as the biggest threat to Foo's bid to retain his individual crown, but the Thai is just happy to keep pace, given that he has been feeling under the weather.

To prevent his condition from worsening in the rain, he was frequently spotted with a towel over his head in between shots.

"I was just trying my best to keep my score to even par because I've been sick," explained Kammalas.

"I just had no energy and the brain and body weren't working.

"Of course, I hope to follow in the footsteps of Thongchai (Jaidee) and Prom (Meesawat) by winning this tournament, and I'll continue to do my best.

"Hopefully, we can do well, but (teammate) Sadom (Kaewkanjana) is also sick.

So, if we can finish in the top three, I think that would be all right."

While Foo and his teammates are still firmly in the running for top honours, their female counterparts had a tougher day at the office after a bright start on Tuesday.

Having held a four-stroke advantage in first place after the first round, Amanda Tan, Jacqueline Young and Callista Chen carded rounds of 76, 75 and 76 respectively yesterday to drop to third behind Thailand and the Philippines.

Tan, who had led the individual event with a 66 (142 total) on Tuesday, fell to fourth place, six strokes behind Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn (68).

I just didn't putt as well as I could have and wasn't as sharp around the greens, so that's what I'm going to work on.

—Gregory Foo