Subang: Nicholas Fung took a big step towards clinching the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Order of Merit crown as he claimed the UMW Glenmarie Classic win on Thursday.

The in-form Sabahan saw off the challenge of overnight leader Sukree Othman (72), closing with brilliant three-under 69 at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club to claim his third victory in five starts.

Nicholas totalled eight-under par 280 to claim a winner’s share of RM21,900 in the RM130,000 event, which was the penultimate tournament on the PGM Tour, to extend his lead over reigning champion R. Nachimuthu on the burgeoning domestic circuit’s Money List.

The 21-year-old traded three birdies against two bogeys to haul himself level with the four-time PGM Tour winner at the turn and took advantage of Sukree’s crucial slip on the 16th for a two-shot swing in his favour.

M. Sasidaran, who has struggled with form for much of the season, was delighted to come in third, carding a one-under 71 for a 285 total. Six strokes adrift in fourth was S. Murthy (67) with Merit contender Nachimuthu was a further shot behind on 292 on the back of his second straight rounds of 75.

Leading final round scores
280 – Nicholas Fung 71-70-70-69
282 – Sukree Othman 66-74-70-72
285 – M.Sasidaran 69-77-68-71
291 – S.Murthy 76-72-76-67
292 – R.Nachimuthu 70-72-75-75
293 – Danny Chia 71–74-74-74
294 – Airil Rizman Zahari 74-75-72-73
295 – Anis Helmi Abu Hassan 76-70-76-73
296 – Wilson Choo 72-77-71-76, S.Sivachandran 74-77-71-74, Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari 76-74-77-69
297 – Khor Kheng Hwai 74-75-73-75