DOUGHERTY LEADS MALAYSIAN OPEN

7 March 2008 – In Kuala Lumpur at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club yesterday, at the Malaysian Open, Nick Dougherty from England grabbed a two-shot lead, taking a career-record 62 with ten birdies.

Both left standing in second position on 64, are Marcus Fraser and another Englishman Simon Dyson.

On 65 in fourth position stand local golfer Danny Chia, Keith Horne (South Africa), Soren Kieldsen (Sweden), and Daniel Vancsik (Argentina).

Last year’s title holder, Peter Hedblom of Sweden, lies four back on 66, along with Mark Brown of New Zealand and Chowrasia of India.

The Malasia Open saw the return of the current Indian Masters champion, Chowrasia, who has missed his last two cuts.

The local Malaysian golfer, Chia, seemed to be on his old form again, taking seven birdies to find himself but three strokes behind the leader Dougherty.   

On a great beginning to the golf tournament, Dougherty commented, “It is a great start to the tournament. It's my lowest round on tour, which is always nice, especially on the opening round, which sets you up nicely for the tournament”.