Sungai Buloh: Scotsman James Byrne went from regaining his playing privilege on the Asian Tour last week to winning the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) CCM Rahman Putra Masters on Saturday – his maiden professional victory in Asia.
The 24-year-old continued his rich vein of form, closing with a strong five-under 67 at Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia to finish two strokes clear of playing partner Quincy Quek of Singapore in the RM200,000 season-opener on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
Quek’s compatriot Lam Chih Bing (68) took a share of third alongside joint overnight leader Malcom Kokocinski, who mustered a level-par 72 to finish three strokes adrift. Local hope R. Nachimuthu, the 2011 PGM Order of Merit champion, struggled with his putting en-route to a 72 of his own to finish alongside Myanmarese veteran Zaw Moe (73) and Grant Jackson (67) of England.
Two back at the start of the day, Byrne sounded his title aspirations with five birdies through seven holes to haul himself to the top of the leaderboard before dropping a double bogey on the eighth.
It proved to be a temporary setback for the former Walker Cup champion as he bounced back resolutely with three birdies on a trot around the turn before easing to a mixed finish for a 11-under 287 winning total.
Following a successful Asian Tour Qualifying School campaign last week, Byrne credited a hot putter and acute iron play for winning his second professional title.
“I’m feeling good. I’ve been playing well in the last couple of weeks. I carried on the confidence from the Asian Tour Qualifying School even though I had a bad last day. I tried to take the positives from it and was able to take some confidence into this week,” said Byrne, who pocketed US$11,375.
“I remember last year Mardan (Mamat) won the first ADT event and he won pretty soon after that on the Asian Tour. I’m not putting any pressure to win again but every time you win, it is a good feeling because you can take confidence from that.
“I knew I could contend at this level and if I played well I would be up there. I got off to a really good start. I was five-under after seven holes. From that point I was already in a good position and knew I could play it a little bit safer coming in. I did double bogey the eighth hole but I came back with three other birdies. It was important to stay positive,” added Byrne.
The 25-year-old Quek rued the missed opportunity of winning his second ADT title but was delighted with his runner-up finish in his first tournament of the year.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year after coming off cold from not playing for a month. James (Byrne) played great. He was pretty much in the lead after nine holes. He was burning the course,” said Quek.
“I was feeling a bit down until the 14th hole because nothing was happening. I was hitting it good and giving myself realistic chances but not making the birdies. Then I hit it close to 14 and had a birdie there. Saved par on 16th and birdied again on 17 from close range. It is nice to finish off that way after a day that was kind of mundane,” he added.
Nachimuthu was two-under at the turn but returned two shots on his homeward nine as his putter turned cold. “My putting was horrible but my hitting was okay. Overall my putter let me down I feel that I’ve been doing okay. I could have done slightly better but overall I’m still happy,” said Nachimuthu.
Leading final round scores
277 – James Byrne (SCO) 71-71-68-67
279 – Quincy Quek (SIN) 71-68-70-70
280 – Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 69-70-73-68, Malcolm Kokocinski (SWE) 71-68-69-72
281 – Grant Jackson (ENG) 69-72-73-67, R. Nachimuthu 67-70-72-72, Zaw Moe (MYN) 72-69-67-73
282 – Edward Reyes (PHI) 69-74-69-70, Mitsuhiko Hashizume (JPN) 69-67-72-74
283 – S. Murthy 68-74-72-69, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 67-74-71-71
