Broome Manor pro expecting further Malaysia disruption
6:00pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne
Swindon's David Howell
DAVID Howell isn’t gloating about some of his fellow Malaysia Open competitors having to play a round and a half today, as the Broome Manor pro fears he could face the same fate tomorrow.
The Swindon star managed to fit in an excellent three-under-par 69 at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club yesterday, before thunderstorms in the afternoon resulted in play being suspended.
Around half of the 154-strong field were due to complete their first rounds in the early hours of this morning (GMT), but with Howell not scheduled to tee off until later, the former world number nine is worried he may run into the same weather that curtailed round one.
“It’s never any different, it’s hot and then it rains,” he said. “Unfortunately some guys are going to have to play the best part of 27 holes on Friday. I’m not off until 3.30pm (local time) so if it storms again then 27 holes could be what faces me on Saturday.
“The perfect scenario is that it doesn’t storm on Friday, I get 13 holes in and then finish up on Saturday morning.”
Howell’s effort on day one was enough to propel him to tied 15th on the leaderboard, making him the joint-leading Englishman alongside Mark Foster and Oliver Fisher.
“I played really nicely and hit lots of good shots,” Howell continued. “I’ve had a nice run of first rounds recently which is always pleasing.”
Topping the leaderboard after yesterday’s play was Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who shot a seven-under-par round of 65.
He was closely followed by Anders Hansen, Edoardo Molinari and Gregory Bourdy, all on six-under, while Nelson Mandela Championship winner Scott Jamieson was on the same score having played just 10 holes.
World number three Luke Donald experienced a disappointing day as he carded two-over.
