Mercedes Benz Asean Tour

August 20, Kuala Lumpur:  Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul stretched his lead in the US$60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia on a day which saw the cream rise to the top with some brilliant  low scoring.

Pariya, the leader by one at the start of the day, opened up a three shot advantage after carding a six-under-par 66 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.

He leads on 13-under-par 203 from Singapore’s Mardan Mamat who stormed back into contention with a 65.

Malaysia’s Danny Chia also made a move after returning a 67 and is in solo possession of third place four shots behind Pariya.

August 19, Kuala Lumpur:  Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul, nicknamed ‘Mr Top 10’ by his compatriots due to his consistency, took the halfway lead in the US$60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia today.

The 26 year old from Bangkok, who has won once before on the Mercedes-Benz Tour, shot a three-under-par 69 to lie seven under for the tournament.

He is one shot ahead of Khor Kheng Hwai who sent the crowd into wild applause on the par-five 18th where he holed he second shot for the Mercedes-Benz Tour’s first albatross.

August 18, Kuala Lumpur: Singapore’s Mardan Mamat drew upon his vast experience in the game to take the first round lead in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia today with a six-under-par 66 despite having to play while fasting.

Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul finished the day in second place with a 68 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club while his compatriot Pornpong Phatlum carded a 69.

Mamat, aged 42, is well known for being a player who can still play at his best during the month of  Ramadan - the Islamic month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.

He recorded a bogey free round and made birdies on holes 1, 3 and 5 while on the homeward stretch shots birdies on 12, 13 and 16.

August 17, Kuala Lumpur:  Malaysia’s top golfer Danny Chia headlines a strong field in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia which tees-off tomorrow at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.

Chia hit the headlines last month for becoming the first Malaysian to play all four rounds in the Open Championship and is bidding to win his third title on the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

He is part of a strong local challenge that includes the in-form S. Sivachandran, Airil Rizman and the rising star from Sabah Nicholas Fung.

Since returning from his memorable performance at St Andrews Chia has been nursing a bad back but is eager to kick start a strong second half of the season.