Regina is Back in the Limelight on Day 2 of Singapore Open
26th October 2003Former Singapore national bowler Regina Lau grabbed the limelight on day two of the 36th Singapore Open with a blistering four-games series of 920 (average 230).
The 35-year-old representative of Seletar Country Club notched up scores of 204, 257, 182 and 277 to lead all women qualifiers during her third MQ of the day. Her eight-bagger and nine-bagger efforts in game two and four respectively on lanes 13 and 14 delighted a sizeable crowd at Victor’s Superbowl.
“When I bowled my first MQ this morning, I decided that the outside line was the right area to adopt,” said Lau, who represented Singapore in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima. “I decided to go for three more MQs in the afternoon and I’m delighted to get a good score. I’m really looking forward to next Saturday’s Masters finals.”
Lau will be hoping to be third time lucky at the Singapore Open. In 1994, she was the top qualifier, but was unable to take part in the Masters final due to a bereavement in her family. The hook bowler left the bowling scene after the 1995 season in which she competed in the World FIQs. The mother of one only made a comeback to bowling late last year, but failed to make the cut in January’s 35th Singapore Open.
“I love my bowling,” said Lau, when asked whether she would consider a return to regular international competition. “But I doubt I will attempt a comeback into the national team. I’m now running my own family business and I can’t afford the time and commitment.”
Veteran Catherine Kang remained second in the local pool at 858, while 2002 World Ranking Masters Jennifer Tan stayed in third with 851.
The first of the overseas competitors have arrived and Malaysia’s Tang Joh Six, winner of July’s PBAP-Bevida Storm International Classic, topped the overseas pool with an 847 (224, 224, 215, 184) series at press-time.
However, things will start to heat up when the big guns arrive over the next two days. Malaysian ace Shalin Zukifli and world trios champion Dino Castillo, the women and men’s champion at yesterday’s 5th Sinai Open in Egypt, are both set to arrive on Monday.
There were no significant changes on the men’s leaderboard today. At press-time, Jason Yeong Nathan stayed top with a 945 series. Rohezan Abd Manaf trailed in second with 911, veteran Sam Goh is third at 883, while Asian Games champion Remy Ong remained sixth with 865.
The 36th Singapore Open offers some $100,000 in prize money with $20,000 and $5,000 going to the men and women’s champion respectively.
No Singaporean bowler has won the men’s title since 1988 and there will be a new men’s champion this year as Qatar’s Bandar Al-Shafi is not defending his title. Malaysia team world champion Wendy Chai meantime, will be going for her third consecutive women’s crown.
Qualification continues tomorrow and the Masters finals will be held on Nov 1 and 2. Admission to the 36th Singapore Open is free.