29th April, Petaling Jaya: Fresh from finishing as first runner-up in the Youth Boys Open finals yesterday, Blake Walsh of Australia took pole position in the Men's Open qualifying standings of the 42nd Malaysian International Open 2024 as 2022 champion, Ahmad Muaz of Malaysia topped the local pool.

After missing out on the Youth Boys Open finals on Sunday, Walsh took to the lanes this morning for the 10:30am squad to register his first attempt in the Men's Open division with a superb 707 series. In the following 1.00pm squad, the two-handed Aussie blitzed the lanes at Sunway Megalanes with a sizzling 751 for an 6-game aggregate of 1458, 7 pins higher than the overnight leader.

His compatriot, Jessie Ellis did well to take up second spot in the overseas pool with 1368. Early leader, Darren Au Wei En of Singapore dropped to third despite improving his total to 1344. Callum Borck of Australia totaled 1343 to take up fourth.

In the local pool, 2022 Malaysian Open champion, Ahmad Muaz took over the top spot of the local pool with 1488 after improving his low 3-game series of 675 to 730 at the 1.00pm squad.

In the Women's Open division, there were no changes in the top 3 local positions with Siti Safiyah Amirah and Sin Li Jane of the Malaysian national podium squad occupying first and second with 1421 and 1367 respectively. Adelia Nur Bte Irwan Syazalee took up third spot with 1364.

Rebecca Whitting of Australia in currently the leader in the overseas pool with 1267 followed by her compatriot, Alison Oag in second with 1153. More will be making their attepmts starting today when the women will arrive from Philippines and Singapore.

Local qualifiers positioned 4 to 10, overseas qualifiers positioned 4 to 10, qualifiers from the Mixed pool position 1 to 12 along with the top 2 qualifiers from the Desperado squad and the defending champion will contest the Round 1 finals on May 4.

Qualifying will continue through to May 3 with the Round 1 finals for the Open division scheduled on May 4. The top 16 men and top 12 women in Round 1 finals will advance to Round 2 joined by the seeded qualifiers from the general standings on May 5.