Young Malaysian rookie Khavish Varadan continued his dream debut in the US$1million IRS Prima Malaysian Open today when he took a share of the halfway the lead with Australian Kevin Yuan.
Varadan, who only turned professional last month, fired a six-under-par 65 for a tournament total of 13-under, while Yuan returned a 64 – at The Mines Resort and Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur.
Related: Veer Ahlawat scorches Mines Resort with 62
American John Catlin is one shot further back following a 65 – in the Asian Tour’s season opener.
Remarkably, this event also marks the first time that 23-year-old Varadan has played in a professional event as a professional – discounting his appearance in last month’s Asian Tour Qualifying School.
He failed to earn his Tour card there, but his playing opportunities will certainly open up extensively should he become the first Malaysian to win this event on Sunday.
“It went according to plan today,” said Varadan, who rather disconcertingly bears a resemblance to Indian Arjun Atwal, who won this event here at The Mines in 2003.
“It wasn’t the easiest of rounds as the wind was swirling a little bit today. I was struggling with the numbers but was striking the ball really good.
“I stayed patient and I tried to birdie one in every three holes and I did exactly that. It’s great to be in contention and to win your National Open is like winning a Major.”
He was bogey-free with three birdies on each half.
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Adding to what is an exciting and emerging story Varadan only recently returned to Malaysia having lived in the United States for nearly nine years. He opted not to complete the final year of his degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to try and make a name for himself in Asia, something that is going according to plan exceptional quickly.
Yuan, 26, is another young player looking to breakthrough into the big time, especially after an impressive 2023 when finished 31st on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, helped by a joint second place result in the International Series Vietnam, and a fifth place result in the International Series Thailand.
He said: “Just stuck to the game plan. Had a good round yesterday. Things obviously worked, just kept on trying to do the same things. A few things went my way, had a chip in for an eagle on the second – about 12 metres.
“My game has been a bit up and down to be honest. I had a pretty good off season, I finished fourth in a local Aussie tour event, the Heritage Classic, but then I missed two cuts after that, so it’s been a bit up in the air. So, it’s good to see my form is coming back again. I am starting to piece it together.”
His was more a rollercoaster round compared with his co-leader. He made an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys.
Just like Varadan he has ambitious plans for the season.
“A win would be sick this year, every tournament is so competitive,” he said.
“I did compete for a win a few times last year, which was a great experience to play in the final group, to be under the pump. I want to be in those positions more this year.
“My game has been a work in progress, in golf the results show so slowly. I have been working on the same things and aim to be as disciplined as I can.”
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Lurking ominously heading into the weekend is four-time Asian Tour winner Catlin, whose game has been out of sorts of late but seems to be on the mend.
“Nice to go bogey free, just had one bogey yesterday,” said the American.
“It is always nice when you can keep bogeys off the scorecard. Made a 12-footer on the last to stay bogey free. It felt nice. I am just glad all the work that I am putting in is starting to pay off and I am starting to play better golf, starting to get back in the mix.
“I feel very comfortable out here. Four wins and a lot of good finishes. I lived here for five years. I feel comfortable on this grass, I am pretty good at reading grain, and I think that’s a big part of it out here.”
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Overnight leaders Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand and Indian Veer Ahlawat were unable to repeat their stunning opening 62s. The former carded a 70 and is one of those on 10 under, while the latter fired a 71 and is a shot further back.
Malaysian number one Gavin Green surprisingly missed the cut, which was made at five under. He had opened with a 64 yesterday but crashed to a 76 today to end on two under.
