Robert Allenby grabs first round lead at CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia
This year’s President’s Cup Captain’s pick, Robert Allenby of Australia has finally decided to take on the offensive, grabbing lead in the first round of CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia. Pulling in a stunning eight-under, 63 on Thursday at the Mines Resort & Golf Club · Selangor, Malaysia, Allenby cleared the field by one shot and stayed ahead of the fast approaching Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas.
"I got away with a nice par on the 18th. I made lots of nice putts and hit the ball really well all day," Allenby said. "I had just one wayward tee shot at the last, but I made a good par to save at the last."
The 40-year-old Melbourne based golfer has been lurking in shadows for a considerable time and in wake of his surprise pick by Captain Greg Norman, Allenby somehow knew he needed to hit form in the build-up events to the President’s Cup. Fred Couples, the American Captain, had already termed his selection a bad choice while he was defending his pick, Tiger Woods. Allenby has not won an event since his last victory at 2009 Australian Masters.
"I've been playing well for a while, but I just haven't really put the scores on the board," Allenby said. "I've been making a lot of birdies, but a few others have been slipping in there. So to have a bogey-free round and to shoot 8 under around here is a great score."
Vegas, the tour rookie who won the season starter, Bob Hope Classic on the PGA Tour, had to settle for seven-under, 64, trailing the leader by one shot. The Venezuelan carded eight birdies in all, four of them coming on the last four holes. Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson finished for a 65, pulling in four birdies and a glistening eagle at par-four, 15th. Americans Bo Van Pelt, Cameron Tringale and Jimmy Walker finished further down the leaderboard with their scores of 66 in the opening round.
The $6.1 million event is in its second consecutive year, co-sanctioned by Asia Tour and PGA Tour of America. Many of the American players are playing under hot and humid tropical conditions and the scenic The Mines Resort & Golf Club received showers in the afternoon, although play was not suspended during the downpour.
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