Kuala Lumpur: National junior Jeremiah Kim is looking to raise his game several notches during the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open, which tees off tomorrow, as he knows only a decent performance will give him the opportunity to earn a ticket to the SEA Games later this year.
Jeremiah, who finished second behind the Philippines’ Miguel Luis Tabuena in the boys’ under-16 and overall categories a year ago, will be the hot favourite to add the title to his collection at Saujana Golf & Country Club, in the absence of Tabuena, who has since turned professional.
“I didn’t perform to expectations at the Lion’s City Cup last week, placing only fourth but thankfully my teammate Low Khai Jei was on fire to bag the individual title,” said Jeremiah, who will be competing in his fourth 100PLUS Malaysia Junior Open.
“If I was on top of my game, perhaps we could have bagged the team event as well but we had to settle for second spot behind the Thais.”
Jeremiah, who is recovering from a bout of influenza added: “I can’t believe Miguel turned professional as he is only 16, but that is good news for me. I really want to represent the country in the SEA Games later this year and I would need to take the title to give myself a shot at being picked.”
Jeremiah will be hoping to emulate past Akhmal Tarmizi Nazari (2007), Gavin Kyle Green (2009), Michelle Koh (2006) and Kelly Tan (2009) as previous Malaysian winners of the competition.
Filipina Sarah Ababa is all fired up as she prepares to defend her the girls’ overall title that she won last year and enter the record books as the first golfer – male or female – to retain the overall crown
“There is a bit of pressure entering this year’s 100PLUS Malaysia Junior Open as this is the first time I will be defending such an important title. The course is fantastic and really challenging. I will have to be at my best to shoot a good score,” said Sarah, who registered a two-over 218 total to take the title when the event was held at the Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai in Kota Kinabalu a year ago.
“I think my team mate Dottie Ardina will be my main rival. She is preparing for the SEA Games later this year and has been in great form for a while now. Nonetheless, I will give it my best shot to create history as I really want to be the first golfer to retain the overall title,” added the 17-year-old from Davao.
Malaysia’s challenge in the girls’ event will be carried by Isza Fariza Ismail, who finished 13 strokes behind Dottie in Hong Kong.
The three-day event, which enters its sixth year, has drawn 124 players from 12 nations with host Malaysia making up the largest contingent with 72 participants, followed by Singapore (18), Indonesia (nine), Philippines (six), India (five), Bangladesh and Taiwan (three each), Sri Lanka, South Korea and Mynmar (two representatives) and England and Japan with one golfer each.
