Khai Jei coasts to North Malaysian Amateur title

Low Khai Jei

Ipoh: Low Khai Jei claimed his second consecutive amateur title in less than a fortnight as he edged past surprise package Ervin Chang to clinch the North Malaysian Amateur Open on Sunday.

The reigning national junior champion, who has been on fire since the stroke-play preliminaries, recorded a comfortable 6&5 defeat of Chang at Royal Perak Golf Club.

Low had earlier ended defending champion Abel Tam’s campaign with a 7&5 victory in the semi final after beating Mohd Al-Shahrizal 6&5 in the opening matchplay round on Saturday.

Thirteen-year-old Chang had to negotiate a much tougher route to the final. After ousting Johor’s Adam Ward 4&2 in the quarter final, he needed two extra holes before seeing off the challenge of Royal Perak club champion Tan Chee Kean in the last four.

Tan lost 6&5 to national amateur Tam in the third-placing match-up.

Low was pleased with overall performance as he continued his charge to garner as much World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) points to earn his place at US Junior Amateur Championship.

“I felt confident coming into this week and my putting was top-notch. In this format [matchplay], it is important to be one step ahead of your opponent at every hole and I was able to do just that,” said the in-form 16-year-old from Taiping, who carded five birdies against Chang’s pair of birdies and bogeys.

Chang was graceful in defeat, accepting that Low pulled off an outstanding display of pinpoint accuracy on his approach shots. “I’m definitely delighted with myself for advancing all the way to the final and giving it a good fight. To beat Khai Jei, a par is not enough and that’s something I need to work on,” said the youngster.