Kuala Lumpur: What started as an opportunity to play with his old buddy turned into a victory parade for Mardan Mamat as the 44-year-old Singaporean survived a strong final round surge by popular local Md Rashid Ismail to claim the RM180,000 Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) CCM Impian Masters by one stroke.
An established star on the primary Asian Tour, Mardan had only requested an invite to play in the Asian Development Tour season-opener after finding out that his former Tour room mate Yasin Ali of England was participating and rode on his recent hot form, closing with a round of three-under 69 at the Impian Golf & Country Club for a winning total of 18-under 270.
Eight strokes off the lead at the start of the day, Impian resident professional Rashid conjured up a magical course record of 10-under 62, nailing ten birdies including four consecutive ones from hole 13 onwards to settle for second. Two-time PGM Tour winner Danny Chia surged up the leaderboard, posting a six-under 66 to finish three strokes adrift of the winner in third.
A further shot back was halfway leader R. Nachimuthu, who carded a second consecutive 71 to round up in fourth while the trio of Filipino Jay Bayron, Senroku Isa of Japanese and American Dodge Kemmer took a share of fifth on 12-under 276.
Overnight leader Mardan, winner of the ICTSI Philippine Open on the Asian Tour last month, was on level terms with clubhouse leader Rashid after 16 holes and needed a birdie on 17th to seal the deal.
“I had absolutely no expectations this week. I just wanted to come and play here because it gave me an opportunity to meet an old friend (Yassin Ali) after a very long time and at the same time, get some competitive practice ahead of the ISPS Faldo Cambodian Classic. I felt that I was fortunate to win but based on my current form and the way I was hitting the ball from tee to green all week, I felt good from the word go,” said Mardan.
The Singaporean veteran pleaded ignorance when asked him he knew about exploits of Rashid, who was playing five flights ahead of him. “Thank God, I didn’t know (Rashid’s score)! I was pretty much focused on what I needed to do. I didn’t know until I entered score recording and found out I defeated Rashid by one,” added the Singaporean veteran.
Rashid was elated to break S.Murthy’s eight-year record of nine-under 63 set during the PGA President’s Cup in August 2004. “I wasn’t surprised with my score actually as I felt really confident all day and I was able to place my approached. I putted well today after making some small changes based on the advice given by a fellow professional (M. Sasidaran) yesterday.
“I’m not disappointed with how I played even though I didn’t win. I just hope that my form continues until the Maybank Malaysian Open,” he shared.
The PGM Tour travels next to the Clearwater Sanctuary Resort in Batu Gajah for its fifth stop from March 28-31
Leading final round scores (Malaysians unless stated)
270 – Mardan Mamat (SIN) 66-67-68-69
271 – Rashid Ismail 69-70 70-62
273 – Danny Chia 68-70-69-66
275 – R. Nachimuthu 64-69-71-71
276 – Jay Bayron (PHI) 68-70-70-68, Senroku Isa (JPN) 68-70-68-70,
Dodge Kemmer (USA) 67-68-69-72
277 – Anthony Choat (AUS) 68-70-69-70, Glenn Joyner (AUS) 66-72-69-70
278 – Jani Pertilla (FIN) 70-70-72-66, Elmer Salvador (PHI) 71-71-69-67, Lim Eng Seng 65-75-69-69, Hirotaro Naito (JPN) 72-66-67-73
