Published July 17, 2008 on July 21, 2018

Malaysia’s Green, Thailand’s Kiradech and India’s Sharma Continue Their Journey in the Open Championship

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Malaysia’s Gavin Green endured a nervous finish but his challenge will continue into the weekend as he carded a two-over-par 73 to make the cut on the number in his Major debut at The Open on Friday.

Green, who opened his campaign with a 72, turned in level par before dropping a bogey on 10. He recovered with a birdie on 14 but two other bogeys in his closing four holes saw him settle for a share of tied-65th position on three-over-par 145 total at the Carnoustie Golf Links.

The 24-year-old Green became the second Malaysian, following Danny Chia in 2010, to make the halfway cut in the world’s oldest Major championship. Chia came in tied-55th in what was his third attempt that year.

“I was really nervous coming down the stretch. The last few holes were tough. I was just trying to keep it on the fairways and the greens. I did that all the way till 18 and had like a 15 to 20 foot for par. I was trying to find out what the cut was. Thankfully it was three-over and I made the bogey putt.

“Making the cut in my first Major, obviously I am really happy. I am happy with the way I coped with myself. I kind of know what to do and I knew I can’t push it too much. It’s been a long time since I last felt so nervous coming down the stretch but I liked the challenge,” said Green.

“My first expectation is to make the cut but now I will try to go as low as possible over the weekend. It’s pretty scorable if you’re on the fairways but if you’re not, it will punish you quite bad so it’s very important to keep to the same game plan and hopefully make more putts.

“I like links course. It’s a different style of play. I think it’s fairer. You have to be creative when you play on links course. You can’t just see the hole and hit it, you might land 40 or 50 yards short,” added Green, who enjoyed a tied-19th place finish at the Scottish Open last week.

Like Green, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand also made the cut on the number after battling to a 71. The big-hitting Thai will head to the weekend rounds for the first time after missing the mark in his last four attempts. His compatriots Jazz Janewattananond and Danthai Boonma failed the make the cut.

India’s rising star Shubhankar Sharma also successfully made the halfway cut in his maiden appearance at The 147th Open at Carnoustie on Friday, one day before turning 22.

It is also the first time that Sharma made it through to the weekend rounds in a Major championship, having missed the mark earlier at The Masters in April and the U.S. Open in June.

Sharma battled through tough conditions in the morning to sign for a second round even-par 71, trailing leaders Kevin Kisner and Zach Johnson by eight shots in tied-52nd place with a two-over-par 144 total at the world’s oldest Major championship.

“I am so excited right now. After that tee shot on the 18, I thought I just need to make par because a lot of players have yet to play. My first aim was to hit the fairway on the 18th and then hit the green to give myself birdie opportunity.

“I made a brilliant second shot to about five to six feet and made the birdie putt. I am really proud of myself, considering I was three-over after nine and made three birdies on the last six holes to get back to even-par,” said Sharma, a two-time Asian Tour winner.

The young Indian had qualified for The Open after breaking through at the Joburg Open last December.

“I wasn’t thinking much when I stood on the last putt. The greens became very bumpy. You just hope that the ball stays on the line. It was a nerving moment for me at the end but very happy to birdie the last and make it to the weekend rounds.

“This is my favourite Major championship. I imagined myself playing in The Open since I was a kid. I am happy to make the cut in my first attempt. This is also the first time I made the cut in a Major. It is definitely a big moment for me. I am also turning 22 tomorrow so it will be a great birthday present for me,” Sharma added.

Anirban Lahiri, the other one of the two Indians in the elite field this week, posted a 74 to miss out on the weekend action at the year’s third Major championship.

South African Shaun Norris, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda, and Masahiro Kawamura will continue to spearhead the Asian Tour challenge in the final two rounds at The 147th Open at Carnoustie.