Seri Kembangan: Seasoned professional Danny Chia will once again spearhead the nation’s challenge at the CIMB Classic after sealing his berth at the Sapura National Qualifier on Wednesday.
The 39-year-old Chia shot a final round five-under 66 to overturn Shaaban Hussin’s three-shot overnight lead and emerge victorious by two shots at The MINES Resort & Golf Club to earn a sponsor’s exemption at the US$6.1 million Asian and PGA Tours co-sanctioned exhibition from October 25-28.
Rookie professional Mohd Azman Basharuddin put on a gallant final round display, bagging six birdies in a faultless 66 to finish second behind Chia with a three-day total of seven-under 206. Despite finishing third on the back of a closing 73, two-time champion Shaaban is the best bet for the other domestic berth as he is the best ranked Malaysian on the Official World Golf Rankings after Chia.
Chia turned in with a 34 and cruised to victory on the homeward nine with birdies on holes 10, 11, 13 and 17. “My focus was much better. I tried to not look at my swing and focused on shooting a low score. I know this course quite well and I knew if I played decent golf, I would be able to produce a low score,” said Chia, who walked home with RM22,000 for his effort this week.
“I knew from the start that I was relatively assured of a place at the tournament based on my OWGR position but its nonetheless a great thing that I have booked my tee times now,” he smiled.
He is now relishing the opportunity of playing in the CIMB Classic again as he finished tied 13th last year and expressed hopes that her may be paired with 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods, who will headline the lucrative event.
“It is always great to play with guys like Vijay (Singh) last year. Hopefully I can play good enough and be paired with Tiger. That will be a really good incentive. I am going try to keep my expectations low and really pace myself and not get ahead of myself,” added Chia.
For Azman, missing out on CIMB Classic was a minor disappointment on the back of an improved personal display. “I just wanted to enjoy my round today. I knew that I had a chance if I played well but didn’t really think about winning until the last hole probably,” said the burly 19-year-old Kedahan
“I’m pleased with my performance because I drove the ball well and putted really good today. It would have been something if I had qualified for the CIMB Classic but I’ll take this as good learning experience,” stated Azman, who has two runner-up finishes to show on the domestic circuit this year.
Shaaban is hopeful he will get into the CIMB Classic for the third time through the world rankings where the cut off is October 1. “I knew from the beginning that if Danny won, I would be the next to qualify regardless of my result here. That kind of eased the pressure a bit and it shows how important playing on the Asian Tour is to gain world rankings points,” said Shaaban.
Leading final round scores:
204 – Danny Chia (70-68-66)
206 – Mohd Azman Basharuddin (71-70-65)
208 – Shabaan Hussin (66-69-73)
210 – M. Sasidaran (70-69-71), Nicholas Fung (69-70-71)
211 – Mohd Sukree Othman (71-71-69)
212 – Lim Eng Seng (69-73-70); S. Sivachandhran (71-72-71)
215 – S. Murthy (76-70-69)
216 – Nicholas Pua (73-72-71)
