Saturday September 8, 2012
Awkward start but Ababa ends the day with storming finish
SHAH ALAM: Filipino newcomer Jhonnel Ababa must have felt awkward being the only golfer on the course yesterday morning at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters.
The lone ranger from Canlubang was the only one who did not finish his second round on Thursday due to darkness. So, there he was at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club to play the 18th hole yesterday morning.
The 28-year-old, who is playing on the Asian Tour for the first time this season, shot a par in his last hole to complete his second round with a three-under 69.
His two-day total of seven-under 137 left him just two shots behind joint leaders Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and surprise package Michael Tran of Vietnam.
Ababa was not done with surprises.
At the end of yesterday’s third round, the Filipino fired a one-under 71 for an eight-under total of 208 to be tied in third spot with American Jonathan Moore and Tran.
“It was a bit weird being the only player on the range this morning. I got up at 6 and got in here soon after and spent 30 minutes on the range. I had a good chance for birdie on the last hole but there was a bit of pressure,” said Ababa.
“I didn’t know how the greens would be this early in the morning. I left it a bit short at the hole.” Ababa is happy to be placed joint third at the end of the day and intends to stay in the mix for the title.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself and start thinking about the title. I don’t think I can win it, so I’ll be pleased with a top-10 finish,” he said.
“It has been a good week for me and I am now more confident playing on the Asian Tour. For now, I’ll just try to enjoy my game.”
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