Malaysia's Chia makes British Open history

Danny Chia was on Saturday celebrating becoming the first Malaysian in British Open history to make the halfway cut.

The 37-year-old Asian Tour regular endured a sleepless night after thinking he had missed the halfway cut by one stroke at St Andrews following a five-over-par 77 in high winds for a two-day total of two-over-par 146 on Friday.

But with 30 players returning to the Old Course early Saturday to complete the second round in testing conditions, the cut mark eventually settled at 146 which ensured Chia?s place in Open folklore and the weekend rounds.

"It is great to make history for Malaysian golf. It feels really good. I found it hard to sleep last night," said Chia, who was playing in his third Open.

"I kept looking at the scores on the internet although play was already suspended. I just couldn?t help it and kept looking at the scores to see where I was.

"I woke up at six and checked on the scores again and noticed players were dropping shots.

"I think I have surpassed myself. As I said yesterday, it was the most satisfying Open campaign for me. I played really well for two days.

"You always dream about playing the weekend rounds in a Major, what more the British Open. It?s a dream come true for me.

Apart from being overjoyed, Chia was relieved he will see weekend action in the year?s third Major. When he finished his round yesterday, he was two over the cut line at the time.

"For the first time, I knew I didn?t blow it. I shot five over but I felt that I didn?t leave any shots out there yesterday. After signing my card, I felt I would miss the cut by one which would have been hard to take. I?m so relieved now," he said.

Chia hopes his slice of major history at the world?s oldest major at the Home of Golf would inspire young Malaysians to emulate and better his feat.

"I really hope this will inspire the younger kids. All these while, I?ve always tried so hard to prove myself as part of the reason is I want the younger generation to come out and be better than me. I want them to represent the country in a big event like this," said Chia, the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour with victory in the 2002 Taiwan Open.

"Now, I?ll fight for a better position. The ultimate dream would be to make the top-15 so that I qualify for next year?s Open."