The Thais edged closer to the overall team titles in the boys’ and girls’ divisions after opening up huge leads in the second round of the inaugural DRB-Hicom Asean junior golf championships at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Shah Alam yesterday. In fact, the Thai girls have virtually sealed victory after their quartet opened up a massive 22-stroke lead at the top over Singapore. And with 18 holes left to play, their boys have a 12-stroke advantage over Malaysia. 

The Thai girls have a two-round total of 442 against 464 for Singapore while their boys are on 449 against 461 for Malaysia. 

Taking off from where they had left off on Tuesday when they held nine and four-stroke leads in the girls’ and boys’ competitions respectively, the near flawless play and determination by the Thais saw them leaving the 10-team competition acknowledging that it would be difficult to match their might. 

Malaysian team manager V. Gunalan said: “The Thais are very consistent. That makes all the difference. And when they do make a mistake, they will make up for it in the next hole. That’s why they are so good and are on top of the leaderboard. 

The best Malaysian performers of the day in the boys’ competition were Gavin Green and Kenneth De Silva, who both carded a 77, while Chan Tuck Soon came in with a 78. 

Malaysia’s position in second place is under threat from the Philippines’ B team, who are two strokes adrift on 463.