Kuala Lumpur: Top national junior Low Khai Jei added another state amateur title to his belt after holding off compatriot Chan Tuck Soon to clinch the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open title on Thursday.
The 16-year-old from Taiping chalked up rounds of 69, 71 and 74 for a two-under 214 winning total at the Royal Selangor Golf Club to finish two strokes clear of Tuck Soon. Indonesia’s Bramantio Adi was tied for third alongside Sabah’s Albright Chong on 217.
Khai Jei had a relatively quiet final round with only a double bogey against 17 pars but it proved enough, topping Tuck Soon’s closing effort of 75. “I was just able to pace myself out there. The birdies did not drop but I’m happy with the score except for the double bogey.”
He added that the victory was important for him as he tries to break into the world’s top-400 and brighten his chances of earning a slot at the United States Junior Amateur Championship this July.
“I will be contesting in all the amateur meets up to the Malaysian Amateur Open as I need to improve my World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) rankings to confirm my start at the prestigious junior meet,” said Khai Jei, who finished tied fourth in the British Junior Open last year.
In the girls’ division, Indonesia’s Gavrilla Christina Arya registered a first amateur title with a four-stroke victory over national junior Loy Hee Ying. Despite a final round four-over 76, the 15-year-old Gavrilla held on for victory with a 213 total. Genevieve Ling I-Rynn (71-76-74) came in third with a three-day haul of 221.
“It has been a week to remember as I shot my lowest-ever competitive round during the second round (67) and then, to win my maiden amateur title, it feels really great,” said the Jakarta native.
Leading final round scores
Mens’
214 – Low Khai Jei 69-71-74
216 – Chan Tuck Soon 70-71-75
217 – Bramantio Adi (INA) 76-72-69, Albirght Chong Ming Soon 74-68-75
218 – Solomon Emilio Rosidin 78-71-69
220 – Leroy Chia 74-77-69, Nordin Yahaya 76-72-72
221 – Mohd Thaznim 72-75-74, Marc Ong (SIN) 75-70-76
223 – Melvin Chiew (SIN) 77-76-70, Joshua Ho 76-72-75, Galven Kendall Green 77-70-76, Bryan Teoh Wiyang 73-70-80, Paul San Weng Yau 71-72-80
Ladies’
213 – Gavrilla Christina Arya (INA) 70-67-76
217 – Loy Hee Ying 77-69-71
221 – Genevieve Ling 71-76-74
224 – Nur Eliana Ariffin 77-73-74, Dianne Luke 72-72-80
226 – Goh Jen (SIN) 74-78-74, Kelie Kan Kah Yan 78-72-76, Hilferah Tan 71-74-81
227 – Nur Islamiah Mohamad Fuad 77-77-73, Ariel Lee (SIN) 76-75-76
