Mardan poised to challenge for lead

THE Clariden Leu Singapore Masters' field is stronger and defending champion Mardan Mamat has been in poor form.

But the message after Day 1 is clear: write the Republic's No 1 golfer off at your own peril.

Staring at the Laguna Masters Course's second green in ankle-high rough yesterday, his title defence seemed bound for an early bogey.

But Mardan bailed himself out.

He sent his wedge shot to 20 feet of the par-five hole before two-putting to save par.

Said the 39-year-old: 'That was a tricky but crucial save. It gave me the momentum to do well.'

Four birdies in a blemish-free 68 opening round at the tougher Masters Course ensured he is tied-15th among the record 204-man field.

He is four strokes adrift of joint-leaders Liang Wenchong of China and Marcus Fraser of Australia. Both managed 64 at the Classic Course.

One stroke behind the leading duo are Japan's Shingo Katayama, India's Jyoti Randhawa and Scotland's Barry Hume, who all played at the Classic Course.

Top names such as England's David Howell (71), Wales' Ian Woosnam (73) and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke (74) failed to impress.

This leaves Mardan well-poised to make a charge up the leaderboard of the US$1.1 million (S$1.7 million) event today, when he tees off at the easier Classic Course.

His four-under 68 was the day's lowest at the Masters Course.

He said: 'I kept calm, was patient and did not try too hard.'

Then there was the yellow shirt.

That was the same colour he wore when he became the first Singaporean to win a European Tour event last year.

He said: 'That's my lucky colour.'

Accurate approach shots and calm putting from the visibly relaxed Singaporean saw him picking up birdies at the fourth, eighth, 11th and 16th.

Said Thai Thongchai Jaidee, who carded a 69: 'It's his home course, he knows all the greens inside out.

'He's the favourite.'

However, that did not seem the case before the tournament.

Since Mardan's historic win a year ago, he has made only one top-10 finish.

He missed the cut in eight of the other 15 events, including last week's Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket.

But he answered his critics yesterday when he was the only Singaporean in the top 150.

He continued his fine form on the Masters Course, which saw him clinching the crown last year after leading from start to finish.

In his last five rounds, he has managed to go 16 under par.

His best score at the Classic is a 67, which he shot in 2000 at the Mandarin Oriental Open.

China's Liang made the most of the Classic's wider fairways, notching eight birdies between the fifth and 15th holes.

His red-hot form made up for the withdrawal of compatriot Zhang Lianwei, who was forced out by an eye infection.

The 2003 winner was joined on the sidelines by Australia's Tony Carolan (personal reasons), Japan's Tadahiro Takayama (flu) and Australia's Matthew Millar (wrist).

Despite their absence, some 4,000 spectators were still treated to a flurry of action at the two Laguna courses yesterday.

They included ex-Liverpool star striker Ian Rush, who is here as an ESPN Star Sports guest presenter.

alfoo@sph.com.sg

Singapore Masters, Day 2
Live, Ch5 and Ch24, 2.30pm