Batu Gajah: Rising amateur Jeremy Chan and former national Hillferah Tan were the toasts of the field as they captured their maiden state amateur victories at the Perak Amateur Open on Sunday.
Chan carded a solid closing round of one-under 71 to follow his opening two rounds of 75 and 70 at Clearwater Sanctuary Resort to romp to a four-stroke victory over Amirul Aizat Abdul Bahar of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Overnight leader Nordin Yahaya posted a poor final round 78 to take third place on 222, one shot ahead of another UUM player Mohd Wafiyuddin Abdul Manaf.
Chan, who picked up the best placed amateur prize in the recent Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) NorthPort Templer Park Classic, was delighted with his breakthrough victory.
“I was one shot behind after the second round yesterday and I told myself to just keep the ball in play, hit as many greens as possible and take on from that. I am glad that I was to execute what I set out to do and I’m really happy to have won here,” said the 22-year-old.
In the ladies division, Tan pipped in-form Sarfina Vinota Seretharan (75) to the main prize by a solitary stroke with a three-day total of three-over 219. Sarfina, who had recently earned a surprise berth at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, carried a one-shot lead over the Ranau lass coming into the final round but never managed to recover from a double bogey on the 14th. Genevieve Ling I-Rynn was seven strokes behind in third on 227.
Tan was naturally elated with the result. “I played consistently through all three rounds and I am very proud of my scores, ” said Tan, who notched rounds of 71, 75 and 73. “Took my chances today and played solid golf under pressure. [The victory] is one to cherish,” said the communications undergraduate at UUM.
Mohd Shah Syaizal Md Aris emerged as the nett champion with a score 204 (74-64-66) while junior Amelia Shahzan topped the ladies nett category with a 210 (67-74-69) total.
Leading final round scores
Men’s division
216 – Jeremy Chan (75-70-71)
220 – Amirul Aizat Abdul Bahar (72-73-75)
222 – Nordin Yahaya (73-71-78)
223 – Mohd Wafiyuddin Abdul Manaf (79-72-72)
Ladies’ division
219 – Hillferah Tan (71-75-73)
220 – Sarfina Vinota Seretharan (71-74-75)
227 – Genevieve Ling I-Rynn (73-76-78)
