Dhaka, April 24: Japan’s Kazuki Higa rose from his sick bed to shoot a sensational 10-under-par 62 in the opening round of the inaugural BTI Open on Tuesday. 

Higa recovered from a headache to shoot 10 birdies and take a commanding five-shot lead over Argentinian journeyman Miguel Carballo and Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski at the US$60,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event. 

M Dharma of India, Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka, American Andrew Park, Shakhawat Sohel and Zamal Hossain Mollah returned on matching 68s to share fourth place at the Kurmitola Golf Club.

Bangladeshi hero Siddikur Rahman posted a 70 to lie in tied 15th place, eight shots back of the leader.

Higa is playing in only his second tournament since turning professional in November last year but he showed no signs of nerves after dropping a 25-foot birdie putt on the second hole.

The 23-year-old went six-under through 13 holes and ended the day on a high note by sinking four straight birdies from the 14th hole.    

“I wasn’t feeling too well yesterday but I rested and I felt great this morning. When I played a practise round, I saw that the course was very narrow so my plan was to find fairways and try to make birdies which I did very well today,” said Higa.

The Japanese is on track to make up for his disappointment of missing out on a 2018 Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in January where he missed the grade by a single shot.

“This is only my second professional event and my first on the ADT but I’m enjoying my time because on the ADT, I get to visit different countries and play on different golf courses. I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” said Higa.

Former PGA Tour player Carballo was delighted with his opening round 67 in what is also his first visit to Bangladesh.

“I felt comfortable on the course and everytime you play good, you feel more relaxed. The course is very good. It is short but narrow so if you hit it straight, you will have more birdie chances,” said the 39-year-old Carballo.

ADT regular Kokocinski, who is ranked second on the Order of Merit, continued his fine form as he searches for a first ADT victory. He will draw confidence from his second place finish at the Dhaka Open earlier this year which was also played at the Kurmitola course.

“I’ve played at this course a couple of times so I’m quite familiar with the golf course. It was quite a boring round but very steady. I used to be an aggressive player but now I’m more relaxed and enjoying my golf more. I guess that’s helped me with good results this year,” said the Swede.

The BTI Open is the second ADT event to be staged in Bangladesh this year. The tournament will be afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points with the winner receiving six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading first round scores:

62 – Kazuki HIGA (JPN)

67 – Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) , Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE)

68 – M DHARMA (IND) , Mithun PERERA (SRI) , Zamal Hossain MOLLAH (BAN) , Shakhawat SOHEL (BAN) , Andrew PARK (USA)

69 – Dulal HOSSAIN (BAN) , Md. Sajib ALI (BAN) , Jesse YAP (SGP) , Marc ONG (SGP) , CHOO Tze Huang (SGP) , Josh SALAH (USA)

70 – Lakshay MUDGIL (IND) , Sam GILLIS (USA) , Justin DE LOS SANTOS (USA) , Kieran PRATT (AUS) , Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) , Shamim KHAN (IND) , Vikrant CHOPRA (IND) , Md. Sayum (BAN) , C. Muniyappa (IND) , K.PRABAGARAN (SRI) , Shivendra Singh SISODIA (IND)

71 – Feroz ALI (IND) , Arjun PRASAD (IND) , Md. Milon AHMED (BAN) , Shankar DAS (IND) , Liton Hawlader (BAN) , Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) , Veer AHLAWAT (IND) , Anura ROHANA (SRI) , Viraj MADAPPA (IND) , Md. Ismail (BAN) , Jakiruzzaman JAKIR (BAN) , Johnson POH (SGP) , Md Nazim (BAN) , Akbar HOSSAIN (BAN) , Tapy GHAI (IND)

72 – Badal HOSSAIN (BAN) , Md. Rezaul KARIM (BAN) , MD Muaj (BAN) , John CATLIN (USA) , Divyanshu BAJAJ (IND) , Sujjan SINGH (IND) , Trishul CHINNAPPA (IND) , Md Nur Jamal (BAN) , Angad CHEEMA (IND) , Om Prakash CHOUHAN (IND) , Leunkwang KIM (MAS) , Samarth DWIVEDI (IND) , Manu GANDAS (IND) , Cody O’TOOLE (USA) , Syed Saqib AHMED (IND) , Mohammad RIPON (BAN) , Janne KASKE (FIN) , Abhishek JHA (IND) , Naoki SEKITO (JPN) , Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) , Masaru TANI (JPN) , Md. Hossain MIAH (BAN) , Md Shahid (BAN) , Digvijay SINGH (IND)

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Ends.

Dhaka, April 25: Kazuki Higa of Japan stayed in the lead at the halfway stage of the inaugural BTI Open after taking a careful approach on Wednesday. 

After opening with a brilliant 62, Higa took the safe approach as he returned with a two-under-par 70 to lead on 12-under-par 132 at the US$60,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.

Bangladeshis Zamal Hossain Mollah and Md. Sajib Ali kept up their chase for a first ADT victory after returning with a 68 and 67 respectively to trail Higa by fours shots at the Kurmitola Golf Club.

Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden carded a 70 to sit in fourth place on a 137 total while ADT Order of Merit leader John Catlin (66) of the United States and Argentina’s Miguel Carballo (71) were a further shot back in fifth place.

Higa, who is playing in only his second tournament as a professional, was happy with the day’s work of three birdies against one bogey as he only had 30 minutes to warm-up.

“I played very safe today. Before I teed off, I didn’t have enough time to warm up because the 5am bus was too early for me and I wanted to have breakfast in the hotel. I usually warm up about an hour and 15 minutes so I will go earlier in the next two rounds!” Higa smiled.

“Yesterday my iron shots were really good but today I struggled so I didn’t have many birdie chances. I just did enough to lead the tournament. I don’t want to think about the final two days yet. I’ll continue to play like how I did and see what happens,” he added.

Higa, who turned 23 on Monday, hopes to continue his fine form in his first appearance in Bangladesh after missing out on an Asian Tour card by a single shot in January.

Siddikur Rahman, who won the Dhaka Open on the ADT earlier this year, posted a 69 to trail by seven shots.

The halfway cut was set at two-over-146 with a total of 53 players qualifying for the final two rounds.

The BTI Open is the second ADT event to be staged in Bangladesh this year. The tournament will be afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points with the winner receiving six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading second round scores:

132 – Kazuki HIGA (JPN) 62 70

136 – Zamal Hossain MOLLAH (BAN) 68 68, Md. Sajib ALI (BAN) 69 67

137 – Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 67 70

138 – John CATLIN (USA) 72 66, Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 67 71

139 – Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) 70 69, M DHARMA (IND) 68 71, Aman RAJ (IND) 73 66

140 – Andrew PARK (USA) 68 72, Shivendra Singh SISODIA (IND) 70 70

141 – Mithun PERERA (SRI) 68 73, Johnson POH (SGP) 71 70, Josh SALAH (USA) 69 72, Tapy GHAI (IND) 71 70, Dulal HOSSAIN (BAN) 69 72, Vikrant CHOPRA (IND) 70 71

142 – Raju ALI (IND) 73 69, Shamim KHAN (IND) 70 72, Anura ROHANA (SRI) 71 71

143 – Md. Ismail (BAN) 71 72, Janne KASKE (FIN) 72 71, Abhishek JHA (IND) 72 71, CHOO Tze Huang (SGP) 69 74, Shakhawat SOHEL (BAN) 68 75, Digvijay SINGH (IND) 72 71, Arjun PRASAD (IND) 71 72, Jeremy WENDELKEN (USA) 74 69, Sujjan SINGH (IND) 72 71, Jesse YAP (SGP) 69 74

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Ends.

Dhaka, April 26: Kazuki Higa of Japan put himself in prime position to secure a first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title after shooting a third round three-under-par 69 to take a three-shot lead at the BTI Open on Thursday. 

The ADT rookie, who opened with a sparkling 62, traded four birdies against one bogey to lead on 15-under-par 201 at the US$60,000 event played at the Kurmitola Golf Club.

Bangladeshi Zamal Hossain Mollah fired a third consecutive 68 to stay within striking distance of Higa as the local hope searches for a first ADT win.

Argentinian journeyman and former PGA Tour player Miguel Carballo shot a 68 to share third place with Malcolm Kokocinski (69) of Sweden on matching 206s while Order of Merit leader John Catlin (71) was bunched up in fifth place on a 209 total.

The 23-year-old Higa, who is playing in his second tournament as a professional, stayed on track to a first career victory after only using driver twice on the par-five third and seventh holes which he birdied.

“When I played a practice round I decided to use more irons off the tees. I only used driver on the par fives. The plan has been working for me so far and I’m really happy with my performance,” said Higa.

The talented Japanese is feeling confident in his game and hopes to claim victory on Friday to make up for his disappointment of missing out on an Asian Tour card at Qualifying School by a single shot in January.

“I don’t feel any pressure. I feel that I’m good enough to win this tournament. I’m not surprised that I’m leading but I was surprise to shoot a 62 on the first day! Obviously that’s helped me so far so I hope to stick to my game plan and continue playing well,” he added.

The BTI Open is the second ADT event to be staged in Bangladesh this year. The tournament will be afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points with the winner receiving six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading third round scores:

201 – Kazuki HIGA (JPN) 62 70 69

204 – Zamal Hossain MOLLAH (BAN) 68 68 68

206 – Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 67 71 68, Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 67 70 69

209 – Shakhawat SOHEL (BAN) 68 75 66, Anura ROHANA (SRI) 71 71 67, Josh SALAH (USA) 69 72 68, Aman RAJ (IND) 73 66 70, John CATLIN (USA) 72 66 71, Md. Sajib ALI (BAN) 69 67 73

210 – M DHARMA (IND) 68 71 71, Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) 70 69 71

211 – Viraj MADAPPA (IND) 71 73 67, Dulal HOSSAIN (BAN) 69 72 70

212 – Md Nazim (BAN) 71 74 67, Mithun PERERA (SRI) 68 73 71, Divyanshu BAJAJ (IND) 72 73 67

213 – Samarth DWIVEDI (IND) 72 72 69, Sam GILLIS (USA) 70 76 67

214 – Arjun PRASAD (IND) 71 72 71, Udayan MANE (IND) 74 70 70, Shivendra Singh SISODIA (IND) 70 70 74

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Penang, Malaysia, April 30: Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski will be eyeing for a winning breakthrough on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) when he tees up for another shot at glory at the PGM Penang Championship, which starts on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Kokocinski, who has enjoyed an emphatic start to the season with four top-10 finishes in five starts, hopes to ride on his fine form as he chases for a maiden win on the region’s secondary circuit at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort in Penang.

Placed second on the ADT Order of Merit, Kokocinski will have a good chance to take over the lead from American John Catlin, who will not be in the field this week, at the end of the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) event. He currently trails Catlin by US$569.

"I have been playing well this season on the ADT, as I am 50-under-par after five events. But, I’m still waiting for my first win of the season. I am happy with the way I have been playing recently and I am confident that a victory is around the corner," said Kokocinski.

"I’m going to enjoy the week in Penang and hopefully, after four days, I will be the champion," he added.

Johnson Poh of Singapore

Singapore’s Johnson Poh, who won his maiden ADT title about a month ago in Johor, will be another top contender at the PGM Penang Championship. His familiarity with the course will give him an advantage over his competitors.

“I had competed on Bukit Jawi Resort a few times before during my amateur days and on the ADT two years ago. My girlfriend is from Penang, and I often accompany her whenever she goes back to her hometown. I will always take the opportunity to play at Bukit Jawi. I like the course layout and it suits my game,” said Poh.

The 144-man field at the PGM Penang Championship will be made up of 68 professionals from the ADT, 68 professionals from the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) and eight invites.

Notable players in the field include Japanese Shohei Hasegawa, Australian Martin Dive and South African Mathiam Keyser, who are all winners on the ADT.

The PGM Penang Championship is the seventh leg of the 2018 ADT schedule this year. It is also the ADT’s third stop in Malaysia. Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered on all ADT events with the winner earning a total of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Kedah, Malaysia, January 24: American Kurt Kitayama marked his first appearance on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) with a stunning opening round of nine-under-par 63 to take the clubhouse lead at the weather-hit PGM Darulaman Championship on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old American made a charge with nine birdies in round one, five of them made consecutively from holes six to 10, in hopes of securing his maiden ADT win at the RM225,000 (approximately US$55,000) event held at Darulaman Golf and Country Club.

"I hit it well off the tee today and gave myself a lot of opportunities with my wedges. I was able to reach some par fives in two, so I just took advantage of that. I made a good save on hole 16 and birdied the 18th to make a good round even greater. I was on the fairway of hole 14 when they sounded the horn and made par when I got back to the hole. Then, I birdied the 15th and had a good save on hole 16. The delay worked in my favour this time," said Kitayama.

Kitayama has had an eventful start to his 2018 season. He travelled to three foreign countries he’s never been to, earned his Asian Tour card, and qualified for his first Asian Tour event all in January.

"I was feeling tired after Singapore from the heat and weather disruptions. I got some rest last night and was focused on today’s round. I only played nine holes in the practice round yesterday since I’ve played so many rounds already prior to today."

"It’s so much more humid here compared to the U.S and you’re losing so much fluids throughout the day. I haven’t really adjusted to the conditions," added Kitayama.
Malaysia’s Sukree Othman and Thailand’s Tawan Phongphun carded matching 67s to take tied-second.

The 41-year-old Malaysian got his year off to a perfect start with a six-stroke victory last week in his local circuit.

"I won my first event of the year last week in Perlis and that pumped me up for this week. I have played here many times and I know this course inside out. I am very confident in my swing and have been practicing hard and working on my fitness," added Othman who only missed one green today.

American John Catlin, coming off hot from a great 2017 season where he earned his Asian Tour card, carded a 68 to share tied-fourth with Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong and Itthipat Buranatanyarat.

"I have been working hard with my coach who flew down from Sacramento and I’m ready to start 2018 right as well as to win some tournaments," said 27-year-old Catlin.

Play was first suspended at 4.00pm local time due to heavy rain before resuming at 5.30pm local time. It was later abandoned for the day at 7.20 pm due to fading light.

A total of 15 players will resume their first round at 7.45am local time on Thursday with the second round starting at 7.45am local time as scheduled.

The PGM Darulaman Championship, by featuring on the ADT schedule, will receive official World Golf Ranking status. The winner will receive a minimum of six Official World Golf Ranking points and the top six players and ties will earn points on a sliding scale.

Leading first round scores:

• 63 – Kurt KITAYAMA (USA)
• 67 – Sukree OTHMAN (MAS), Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA)
• 68 – John Catlin (USA), Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA), Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA)
• 69 – Poom PATTAROPONG (THA), Greg MOSS (USA), Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS)
• 70 – Johnson POH (SGP), Kwanchai TANNIN (THA), Seungjae MAENG (USA), Muhammad Syakir ADLI AZMI (MAS), Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN), Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE)

Ends.

About the Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
 

Kedah, Malaysia, January 25: American Kurt Kitayama remained atop the leaderboard after signing for a two-under-par 70 to lead by three shots at the halfway stage of the PGM Darulaman Championship on Thursday.

Kitayama, who opened his campaign with a brilliant 63, marked his card with three birdies against a lone bogey to stay in front of the chasing pack with a 11-under-par 133 total at the Darulaman Golf and Country Club.

John Catlin, also of the United States, signed for a second straight 68 to sit in second place while Shinichi Mizuno of Japan and Kwanchai Tannin of Thailand shared third on 139s following identical rounds of 69s.

Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Danny Masrin of Indonesia, American Brett Munson and Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall were amongst those bunched in fifth place on 140 at the RM225,000 (approximately US$55,000) event.

Starting from the 10th hole, Kitayama got off to a good start with a birdie on first. He reeled in 12 straight pars before dropping his first bogey of the week on the par-three fifth. The 25-year-old, however, recovered brilliantly with two straight birdies from seventh.

“My game was kind of up and down today. I started with a birdie but didn’t hit it that great for the rest of my first nine. I was still able to save some pars. I had one bogey on hole five when I blocked it right of the green. I hit a good chip to about seven feet but misread my putt,” said Kitayama, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School two weeks ago.

“After that bogey, I just told myself to stay patient as I still have a par-five and some short par-fours coming in. I just wanted to go out there and shoot a good round. It’s hard to back up a great round (opening 63) with another really good round so I just wanted to try and finish the day out with the two birdies,” Kitayama added.

Catlin continued his fine form to return with a round of five birdies against one bogey, keeping up his chase for a third victory on the region’s secondary circuit, which was inaugurated in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour.

“I got off to a pretty good start even though I was worried about starting on the front nine since it’s a little trickier. I birdied two of the difficult par-three holes which is rare so I’m pretty happy with my solid round,” said Catlin.

“It’s nice to know where I stand but I am just going to keep my head down, play one shot at a time and see what happens,” added the 27-year-old Catlin, who enjoyed a third-place finish on the ADT Order of Merit last season.

The halfway cut of the PGM Darulaman Championship was set at two-over-par 146 with a total of 56 players advancing to the final two rounds.

The PGM Darulaman Championship, by featuring on the ADT schedule, will receive official World Golf Ranking status. The winner will receive a minimum of six Official World Golf Ranking points and the top six players and ties will earn points on a sliding scale.

Ends.

Leading second round scores:

• 133 – Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) 63 70
• 136 – John CATLIN (USA) 68 68
• 139 – Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) 70 69, Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 70 69
• 140 – Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 67 73, Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 68 72, Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) 70 70, Kiishaan THARMALINGAM (MAS) 73 67, Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) 71 69, Danny MASRIN (INA) 72 68, Brett MUNSON (USA) 71 69
• 141 – Poom PATTAROPONG (THA) 69 72, Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) 71 70, Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS) 69 72, Irfan YUSOFF (MAS) 70 71, Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 68 73, Seungjae MAENG (USA) 70 71

About the Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Kedah, Malaysia, January 25: American Kurt Kitayama remained atop the leaderboard after signing for a two-under-par 70 to lead by three shots at the halfway stage of the PGM Darulaman Championship on Thursday.

Kitayama, who opened his campaign with a brilliant 63, marked his card with three birdies against a lone bogey to stay in front of the chasing pack with a 11-under-par 133 total at the Darulaman Golf and Country Club.

John Catlin, also of the United States, signed for a second straight 68 to sit in second place while Shinichi Mizuno of Japan and Kwanchai Tannin of Thailand shared third on 139s following identical rounds of 69s.

Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Danny Masrin of Indonesia, American Brett Munson and Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall were amongst those bunched in fifth place on 140 at the RM225,000 (approximately US$55,000) event.

Starting from the 10th hole, Kitayama got off to a good start with a birdie on first. He reeled in 12 straight pars before dropping his first bogey of the week on the par-three fifth. The 25-year-old, however, recovered brilliantly with two straight birdies from seventh.

“My game was kind of up and down today. I started with a birdie but didn’t hit it that great for the rest of my first nine. I was still able to save some pars. I had one bogey on hole five when I blocked it right of the green. I hit a good chip to about seven feet but misread my putt,” said Kitayama, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School two weeks ago.

“After that bogey, I just told myself to stay patient as I still have a par-five and some short par-fours coming in. I just wanted to go out there and shoot a good round. It’s hard to back up a great round (opening 63) with another really good round so I just wanted to try and finish the day out with the two birdies,” Kitayama added.

Catlin continued his fine form to return with a round of five birdies against one bogey, keeping up his chase for a third victory on the region’s secondary circuit, which was inaugurated in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour.

“I got off to a pretty good start even though I was worried about starting on the front nine since it’s a little trickier. I birdied two of the difficult par-three holes which is rare so I’m pretty happy with my solid round,” said Catlin.

“It’s nice to know where I stand but I am just going to keep my head down, play one shot at a time and see what happens,” added the 27-year-old Catlin, who enjoyed a third-place finish on the ADT Order of Merit last season.

The halfway cut of the PGM Darulaman Championship was set at two-over-par 146 with a total of 56 players advancing to the final two rounds.

The PGM Darulaman Championship, by featuring on the ADT schedule, will receive official World Golf Ranking status. The winner will receive a minimum of six Official World Golf Ranking points and the top six players and ties will earn points on a sliding scale.

Ends.

Leading second round scores:

• 133 – Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) 63 70
• 136 – John CATLIN (USA) 68 68
• 139 – Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) 70 69, Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 70 69
• 140 – Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 67 73, Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 68 72, Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) 70 70, Kiishaan THARMALINGAM (MAS) 73 67, Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) 71 69, Danny MASRIN (INA) 72 68, Brett MUNSON (USA) 71 69
• 141 – Poom PATTAROPONG (THA) 69 72, Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) 71 70, Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS) 69 72, Irfan YUSOFF (MAS) 70 71, Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 68 73, Seungjae MAENG (USA) 70 71

About the Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

• 197 – Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) 63 70 64
• 202 – John CATLIN (USA) 68 68 66
• 205 – Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) 71 69 65
• 208 – Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) 70 70 68, Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 70 69 69
• 209 – Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 68 72 69, Hyukchul SHIN (KOR) 73 70 66
• 210 – Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 68 73 69, Kiishaan THARMALINGAM (MAS) 73 67 70
• 212 – Brett MUNSON (USA) 71 69 72, Danny MASRIN (INA) 72 68 72, Sukree OTHMAN (MAS) 67 75 70, Thanpisit OMSIN (THA) 72 70 70, Justin DE LOS SANTOS (USA) 74 70 68, Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) 70 69 73
• 213 – Seungjae MAENG (USA) 70 71 72, Steve LEWTON (ENG) 72 72 69

Kedah, Malaysia, January 27: American Kurt Kitayama completed a stunning wire-to-wire victory at the PGM Darulaman Championship to win his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title on Saturday.

The 25-year-old rookie closed with a two-under-par 70 to defeat a relentless John Catlin, who settled for second place at the RM225,000 (approximately US$55,000) ADT event.

It was a dramatic final day where Kitayama’s five-shot lead was erased by a battling Catlin, who fired three birdies and a 10-foot eagle putt on the 10th hole to draw level with his countryman.

Kitayama, who finished tied-3rd in Qualifying School in January, responded with clutch birdie putts on holes 16 and 18 to secure his first title in Asia with a winning total of 21-under-par 267.

"Before hole 10 I felt tight all around and it got to all square, after hole 11 I finally felt more relaxed and was loosening up. I still wasn’t making good shots but I was making good pars and good saves. I was on a cold stretch where I wasn’t giving myself a lot of good looks. I just told myself to stay patient since I still had a lot of golf left and I just needed to give myself more opportunities along the way," said Kitayama.

After playing two years on the Web.com Tour, Kitayama was delighted to taste success in Asia. He pocketed US$10,096.15 for his victory.

"I’ve been excited for the schedule I’m hoping to get some sponsor invites after this if not I’ll just have a break after this to go home and just relax. I am hoping to get one of the earlier starts like New Zealand or Perth if not then I think I’ll take a good break," added Kitayama.

Two-time ADT winner John Catlin prides himself on his solid ball-striking this week to finish with a career best four-day tournament total of 269.

"I gave it my all. Hole 10 was when it got real. Making that eagle putt just gave me a good chance. Other than a miss hit on hole 12 I played some phenomenal golf today. I was so close, just kept telling myself to keep going. I had a birdie putt on every single hole on the back nine. It was great playing with Kurt he’s a good player, hits the ball miles and you could have sizzled my steak medium rare on his putter the last two days," said Catlin.

Thailand’s Donlaphatchai Niyomchon finished third following a 71 while Nitithorn Thippong, also from Thailand, carded a 67 to settle for fourth place on 277.

The PGM Darulaman Championship, by featuring on the ADT schedule, will receive official World Golf Ranking status. The winner will receive a minimum of six Official World Golf Ranking points and the top six players and ties will earn points on a sliding scale.
 
Ends.
 
Leading final round scores:

• 267 – Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) 63 70 64 70
• 269 – John CATLIN (USA) 68 68 66 67
• 276 – Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) 71 69 65 71
• 277 – Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 68 73 69 67
• 278 – Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 68 72 69 69
• 280 – Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 70 69 69 72
• 281 – Mohammad WAFIYUDDIN (MAS) 75 70 72 64
• 282 – Thepbodin AMARANAN (THA) 74 68 74 66, Kemarol BAHARIN (MAS) 71 72 72 67, Thanpisit OMSIN (THA) 72 70 70 70

About the Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.