Que struggles, finds company at the top

Angelo Que hung tough with a one-under par 71 but got a company in Lam Chih Bing of Singapore who shot a course-record six-under par 66 to catch the Filipino shotmaker at the helm halfway through the OSK Pro Am Grand Final at the Swiss-Garden Damai Laut Golf and Country Club in Lumut, Malaysia Friday.

The 28-year-old Que, who shot a 67 Thursday to seize control in the inaugural $55,000 tournament, struggled with his game all day and was lucky enough to shoot four birdies against three bogeys for that 71 and a 36-hole aggregate of 138.

"I wasn’t at my best today. I made a lot of mistakes. I didn’t hit the ball that bad but made some poor decisions," said Que. "It was one of those days."  

But while Que groped for form after a fine stint in the first round, Lam enjoyed top form, spiking his 66 with an eagle-2 on the par-4 No. 2. He then stormed into the lead with five birdies while dropping just one shot.  

"I haven’t been playing well this year but things have been improving over the past month. It would really help my confidence if I can win tomorrow," said Lam, who has won three times in Malaysia but not since 2001 and is looking forward to playing with Que in today’s final round.  

Another Filipino, Danny Zarate, also sizzled with a four-under par 68, to join local ace R. Nachimuthu, shooting a 71, at second with 139s, one stroke off the joint leaders.

Malaysian Danny Chia also turned in a 68 and stood at 140 in the company of compatriots M. Sasidaran and Shaaban Hussein, who both fired 67s, heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament. 

Mohs Hanafiah Jamil also shot a 67 for solo eighth at 141 while Tony Lascuna matched par 72 and slid to joint ninth with Tan Gian Luen, who carded a second straight 71, for a 142.

Juvic Pagunsan, the former amateur hotshot, failed to come up with a big round and settled for a 71 and a 144, six shots behind Que and Lam.