27th June, Macau: Macau national squad member, Lam Iek Long will be eying his first-ever international title leading the Men's Open Masters qualifying standings of the 2024 Macao China International Bowling Championships at Cotai Bowling Center.

Lam's major success was when he captured the Youth Open and Youth U18 Masters titles of the 2012 Hong Kong International Open. Since then, he has often done well in his qualifying rounds but made no good progress in the finals.

The 28-year-old will be hoping to break the ice and do well in the finals especially when he will be skipping Round 1 finals and only contest the Round 2 finals on Sunday, June 30 by topping the overseas pool with 1444. Lam will lead Macau's challenge with team-mates, Lee Tak Man in second with 1357 and Lei Hok Hin with 1333.

In the overseas pool, overnight leader, Nu'man Syahmi of Singapore remained in the lead with 1428. Two Hong Kong national squad members, Ivan Tse and Michael Mak occupied second and third with 1417 and 1399 respectively. Otto Leung headed the Mixed pool with 1356.

The current cut at press time went to 2023 Philippine International Open champion, Darren Ong of Singapore with 1303. With two additional days of qualifying left, the cut-off mark may well increase to as much as 1350.

In the Women's Open division, Macau's Lou Si Hang also remained the leader with a 1327 total followed by 2024 Macao Cup first runner-up, So Cheng Lam in second with 1247 while Li Qing took up third spot with 1246.

Defending champion, Kang Hye Rim of Korean National Sports University (KNSU) led the overseas pool with 1248. Chinese Taipei's Su Shu Wen moved up into second position with 1242. Overnight leader and last year's second runner-up Yuri Sato of Japan slipped down to third with 1239.

2014 Macao China Open champion, Sharon Limansantoro of Jawa Timur, Indonesia headed the Mixed pool with 1187 with Kim Ye Ji occupying the last and 13th position in the table with 1087. 28 Men's Open and 21 Women's Open will qualify and contest Round 1 finals.