Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, September 19: The second round of the PGM MNRB ADT Championship has been rescheduled to Friday due to worsening haze situation in the local area, tournament officials announced today.

Play at the RM225,000 (approximately US$54,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event could not get underway at 7.30am (local time) as the high Air Pollution Index (API) was in the unhealthy range.

Officials decided to call off the day at 1.00pm, with the second round of the PGM MNRB ADT Championship now set to commence at 7.00am local time on Fridaymorning.

It will be a four-tee start for all players at the Kelab Golf Sarawak.

Asian Tour’s Tournament Director, Fritz Katzengruber said: “The API reading was 269 at 6.00am and it further worsened to 273 at 1.00pm. Those readings are very unhealthy and we have decided to reschedule the second round to Friday morning where it will be a four-tee start, should the situation permits.

“Kuching is surrounded by a number of hot spots and there’s no forecast of rain expected, so things don’t look too positive with the API predicted to be high over the next few days.

“But we will ensure that the conditions are acceptable before we allow the players out on the course. We hope to be able to complete at least two rounds (36 holes) in order to have a result. If we cannot do this by Saturday we will not be able to complete the tournament.”

The first round went ahead smoothly with local star Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz firinga seven-under-par 65 to open up a commanding four-shot lead over Korea’s Seung Park and compatriot Leunkwang Kim.

The PGM MNRB ADT Championship is the 14th leg of the ADT schedule this season. The winner will take home a prize purse of US$9,397 and receive six Official World Golf Ranking points. The top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

Ends.