24th May, Petaling Jaya: Two-time Australian national champion and six Regional PBA Tour winner, Sam Cooley moved into the top five of the Open Division qualifying table at the Kuala Lumpur International Open Bowling Championships on Friday.

Cooley who was in mid table with 1335, gradually improved his standings to seventh with 1430 and finally to fourth with yet another improvement of 1453. The Aussie who had also done well at the 42nd Malaysian International Open three weeks ago but failed to make an impression in the finals, will surely be hoping to make amends and fair better in the finals on Sunday.

Overnight leader, Chong Jun Foo of Hero Bowling, Sarawak, remained in the lead with 1485 followed by Azriq Izam of MTBC National youth squad in second with 1468 and Muhammad Zharfan Bin Shahidi of UPSI in third with 1455. Timmy Tan, another MTBC National Podium squad member completed the top five with 1448.

Reigning Malaysian national champion, Syazirol Shamsuddin rolled the tournament's sixth perfect game at his latest qualifying attempt and has moved up into a comfortable 12th position with 1416. Muhammad Hazim Ali Hanafiah shot the fifth 300 yesterday.

Meanwhile, Nur Syazwani Sahar also continued to lead the Women's Top 8 positions with 1439. Four-time Malaysian National champion, Sharon Koh of Putrajaya occupied second position with 1434 followed by 42nd Malaysian International Open second runner-up, Natasha Roslan in third with 1375.

The cut in 28th position went to MTBC National Podium squad member, Faten Najihah of Pahang with 1297. With more than nine remaining qualifying squads before ending late tomorrow, this mark will most likely go up to as high as 1350.

The Youth Open Boys and Youth Open Girls will contest their Masters finals scheduled at 9.00pm over 8 games. The Graded Masters finals will be held at 9.00pm on May 25 while the Open Division finals will be held on May 26.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

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