28th April, Petaling Jaya: 2005 Malaysian Open Women champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah is hoping to end her title drought by winning the 42nd Malaysian International Open 2024 after topping the Women's Open qualifying table on Sunday.

The Malaysian national podium squad member's best finishing since capturing the crown 11 years agao in 2005 was second runner-up two years later in 2007. Siti Saifyah amassed a 6-game aggregate of 1421 to take up top spot in the qualifying standings as of today.

The leader rolled a stunning 214, 289 and 239 for 742 in Squad 19 and a superb 221, 210 and 248 for 679 in Squad 27 to earn pole position. Her team-mate, Sin Li Jane remained in second with 1367 while 2023 Storm-U22 Youth Girl's Open champion, Adelia Nur Bte Irwan Syazalee finiished third with 1364.

Faten Najihah, also a member of the podium squad and ex-international, Sharon Koh of Putrajaya completed the top 5 with 1355 and 1325. However both Faten and Koh did not make the top 3 local qualifiers to earn a bye and automatically advance to Round 2 finals.

Meanhwile in the Men's Open division, reigning Penang Pesta champion and a member of the Malaysian national youth squad, Izz Naqiuddin Putera shared top spot with 1st Formosa Classic 2024 third runner-up, Chong Jun Foo of ABAS after the Sarawakian improved his two identical previous 3-game series of 660 to 788 and 663 for 1451 total.

National podium squad member, Timmy Tan slipped down one spot to third with 1444 while Muhammad Zharaf of Malaysia took up fourth position with 1442. Muhammad Hazim Bin Ali Hanafiah of Team Dotmod, Penang missed the top bracket by 6 pins with 1436 to head the rest of the local qualifiers for Round 1 finals.

The current leader in the overseas pool is Darren Au Wei En of Singapore with 1344 ahead of three Aussies, Scott Robertson, Callum Borck and Jesse Ellis in second to fourth with 1338, 1281 and 1173 respectively. Again by the time more overseas men make their attempts in the next 5 remaining days, these top 4 may not remain.

The top 3 local women and top 3 overseas women will skip Round 1 finals. Local qualifiers positioned 4 to 10 and overseas qualifiers positioned 4 to 10 along with the top 12 qualifiers in the Mixed pool and top 2 from the desperado squad will contest Round 1 finals on May 4.