Rompin, Pahang: There was too much on the line for S. Murthy this time. Too often over the last few years, the wily 40-year-old has eyed a victory only for it to be snatched from him on the last possible moment.
He was having none of it today after hanging on to claim the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Lanjut Classic in dramatic fashion at the picturesque seaside resort course of the Lanjut Golden Beach & Golf Resort. Firing a closing two-under 70 for a four-day total of eight-under 280, Murthy finished one-stroke ahead of R. Nachimuthu and Hanafiah Jamil to pocket the winner’s prize cheque of RM21,000.
PGM Order of Merit leader Rashid Ismail carded a second consecutive 67 to finish fourth on four-under while Lim Eng Seng and Sukree Othman completed the list of players in the red, sharing fifth on two-under-2. Haziq Hamizan took sole eight on level-par 288.
Murthy was left counting his lucky stars after what seemed like an auto cruise to his first title in almost seven years turned awry with a run of bogeys in the closing stage. Last out on the day, an eagle on the eighth was the highlight of his front nine, which included two birdies and a bogey. He led nearest competitor Nachimuthu by five strokes at the 14th, having draining a further three birdies on the inward nine before seeing his advantage dissipate with dropped shots the 15th and 16th.
With his rivals failing to capitalise on his cold putter, a bogey on the closing par-five nonetheless handed him the title. “I am so happy to win today,” said Murthy, who’s wife Nanthini proved a lucky companion on his bag all week. “It was a great relief for my wife and me. It’s a great time with Deepavali around the corner and I intend to present the prize money to her,” added the Morib-based golfer, who last win came at the PGA President’s Cup at Impian Golf & Country Club in 2004.
His best finish on the burgeoning local Tour this year was fourth at the Sabah Classic.
Hanafiah was left ruing his fortunes after failing to take opportunity of Murthy’s bad luck. He pulled his tee-shot into the pond on the 18th and could only bogey it, needing a par to force a playoff. “There is nothing we can do when these things happen,” said the frustrated 23-year-old. If I parred it (the 18th), anything could have happened.”
The PGM Lanjut Classic was the fourteenth stop on the domestic Tour, which was introduced in December 2010 as a competitive platform for local professionals to hone their skills. The Tour will take a month long break before heading to Seremban International Golf Club from November 21-24 for its penultimate leg.
Leading final round scores
280 S. Murthy 68-67-75-70
281 R. Nachimuthu 73-68-71-69; Hanafiah Jamil 73-70-69-69
284 Md Rashid Ismail 77-70-67-67
286 Lim Eng Seng 71-71-68-70; Sukree Othman 72-71-69-74
288 Haziq Hamizan 73-72-69-74
289 Shaaban Hussin 75-73-73-78
290 M. Sasidaran 69-76-73-72; Chan Soo Keong 72-73-70-75; Kemarol Baharin 71-68-75-76
