Ipoh, Perak; June 26: A final day best of four-under-par 68 saw unheralded Mohammad Azry Asyraf Noor Azam (1) emerge victorious ahead of his fancied rivals at the 56th Perak Amateur Open today.
The 16-year-old from Kulim Golf Club registered a three-under-par 213 total at the Meru Valley Golf & Country Club to lift his maiden state open victory.
Starting the final round two shots behind overnight leader Mohd Shanizam Mohd Mohagi, Azry showed great composure to move into lead on the 15th and hold off Penang’s Mohd Afif Mohd Razif (left) to win by one stroke.
Pre-tournament favourite Gavin Kyle Green (0) was third on even-par 216. Shanizam stumbled down the leaderboard to finish ninth after an error-filled 81 today.
In the ladies’ division, national player Vivienne Chin romped to an emphatic 18-stroke victory over Dottie Ardina of The Philippines. The 17-year-old Sabahan proved on fire once again as she notched a 71 today to finish as the only lady participant with an under-par total at four-under 212. Singapore’s Amelia Yong was third on 16-over-par 232.
Azry, who had picked up golf only five years ago, was visibly delighted after the biggest win in young amateur career. “I didn’t expect to win really as it was a tough contest all the way to the end. Afif was leading through 14 holes after his hole-in-one at the 11th but luckily for me, he dropped a bogey and I was able to make my move.
“It was a nervous finish as he could have forced a playoff with a birdie on the final hole. I’m relieved that he missed and I manage to save par and claim the win,” he said.
Despite just returning to competitive action after taking a break from golf to focus on her studies, Chin left the
“I’m pleasantly surprised with my performance this week. I converted some impossible birdie putts here and the course really suited my game. I must admit I was quite nervous at the start as it was my first competitive tournament after I skipped the Malaysian Amateur Open and Negeri Sembilan Amateur Open due to study commitments but it turned out pretty well,” explained Vivienne.
She also noted that her disciplined training regime was the cornerstone of her success. “My dad once told me that hardwork eventually pays. Despite taking time off, I still kept to my regime of going to the gym daily and practicing hard on the course and it paid off,” she added.
Leading final round scores
Men’s division
213 Mohd Azry Asyraf Noor Azman (1) (72-73-68)
214 Muhd Afif Mohd Razif (2)(72-72-70)
216 Gavin Kyle Green (0)(69-76-71)
218 Abel Tam (0) (75-74-69); Low Khai Loon (0) (77-71-70)
221 Jeremy Chan Yew Seong (4)(72-73-76)
222 Thomas Tan (2) (74-74-74); Ng Choo Teck (1) (73-74-75)
224 Mohd Shanizam Mohd Mohagi (1) 72-71-81
226 Low Khai Jei (0) 76-79-71
Ladies’ division
212 Vivienne Chin (2) (68-73-71)
230 Dottie Ardina (0) (80-74-76)
232 Amelia Yong (1) (77-77-78)
235 Nur Dahiyah Damian (9) (79-80-76); Low Si Xuan (2) (78-76-81)
239 Stephanie Loi (1) (82-82-75)
240 Sheryl Villancencio (0)(77-77-86)
245 Sun Choi (0) (79-81-85)
246 Ashwin Kaur (8)(83-79-84)
247 Siti Zulaikhaa Shaari (9)(85-79-83)
