Seri Kembangan: A superb closing three-under-par 68 saw Kelly Tan crowned the 28th Mazda Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open champion today at The Mines Resort & Golf Club.
The 18-year-old from Batu Pahat totaled five-under-par 208 over three days for a six-shot advantage of compatriot Nur Durriyah Damian to make amends for her playoff defeat to Diana Tham at last year’s edition at the same venue. Overnight leader Iman Ahmad Nordin settled for third place after a disappointing round of 77 to complete a Malaysian sweep of the podium places.
Kelly, who had started the day two strokes behind Iman, mixed two birdies with two bogeys over seven holes to move level with Iman, before charging ahead with three further birdies on a flawless back nine to seal the biggest win in her amateur career.
“It feels great to have won this tournament after last year’s painful experience. I obviously picked up a lot of pointers from that defeat especially in terms of course management and how to handle myself under pressure,” said Kelly, who had just returned from a training stint at the IMG Academies in Florida under the Sime Darby Foundation Star Scholarship.
“The seventh hole was definitely the turning point today as I birdied from six feet while Iman got into some trouble in the rough and two-putted for a double-bogey. From then on, I just played my game and had a great finish with a bogey-less homeward nine,” she added.
Despite dropping a bogey on the first hole, Durriyah made her way through the field to snatch second place after a final round best of four-under 67, highlighted by five birdies.
Malaysia had earlier claimed the Division Two and Three titles through Kelie Kan Kah Yan and Edora Abdullah respectively as well as the overall team championship yesterday.
Leading final round scores (Malaysian unless stated)
208 Kelly Tan (71-69-68)
214 Nur Durriyah Damian (76-71-67)
215 Iman Ahmad Nordin (71-67-77)
216 Michelle Koh (71-75-70)
219 Phimnipha Wongwaiwate (THA) (76-70-73)
220 Pornvipa Sakdee (THA) (70-77-73)
222 Agnes Retno Adriani Sudjasmin (INA) (75-72-75)
223 Aretha Pan (77-72-74), Hilferah Tan (74-74-75)
225 Loy Hee Ying (76-75-74)
