Friday March 22, 2013
Murthy in fiery form and is hungry for more thanks to wife’s food
Thumbs up: S. Murthy waves to the crowd after finishing his round on five-under 67 yesterday. LOCAL professional S. Murthy kept the Malaysian flag flying high with a brilliant start in the opening round yesterday.
The 42-year-old Murthy enjoyed a birdie-blitz round for a five-under 67 to finish joint sixth with Victor Dubuisson of France and that was before play was suspended due to heavy downpour during the afternoon flight.
He was Malaysia’s top performer of the day with only 76 golfers having completed 18 holes.
And Murthy attributed his fiery start and bogey-free round to several factors, including his wife’s delicious cooking.
“I feel very young now. I do not feel old,” said Murthy.
“My wife really takes care of me by giving me a lot of good food. That’s all. Don’t look here though (pointing to his stomach).
“There is no other secret. I have tried to stay fit and play more golf. I am working with my coach on a few things and I try to work out as well,” he said.
Patience was also a key to Murthy’s grand opening day.
He picked up birdies on the first, fourth and fifth holes before closing with two more on the 10th and 15th.
He was in danger of dropping two shots but stayed cool and calm under the scorching afternoon heat to sink a 15-foot putt for par on the 13th and saved another on the 16th.
“I made some good pars. I hit it really good and made a few good putts. Hit a lot of greens too and hope I can keep doing it,” added Murthy.
“On the 16, I drove into the bunker and got up and down from 50 yards, which was a good par save. These par saves kept my round going.”
Although overjoyed, Murthy plans to keep his feet firmly on the ground and keep his momentum going.
“This week, there are a lot of good players. I am just going to stick with my game, hit the fairways, greens and try to make some good putts. I have to stay patient,” said Murthy, whose best finish in the Malaysian Open was a joint 56th place in 1999
“I will just keep my focus and try to keep my rounds going.”
“I have played in quite a few Malaysian Opens. I have finished in the 50s or something like that. I hit it very good and so, there is a good chance for me this week. I am just going to go out and play good golf.”
Two other Malaysians R. Nachimuthu and Danny Chia also stayed solid and within striking distance to make the cut-off mark.
Nachimuthu gave a good account of himself for two-under 70 while Danny made it a reasonable good day for Malaysia with a one-under 71.
Said Danny: “It was average. I hit the ball pretty decent. I wished I holed a bit more putts but it is still a good start.”
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