Johor Bharu: Englishman Grant Jackson improved on his overnight lead to cruise to a breakthrough victory at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Maybank Johor Masters on Saturday.
Leading by three strokes coming into the final round, the 31-year-old West Yorkshire native drained three birdies through 11 holes before dropping two late bogeys for a round of one-under 71, finishing four shots clear of R. Nachimuthu (68) and halfway leader Wolmer Murillo (72) in the RM200,000 (US$65,000) Asian Development Tour event.
Reigning PGM Tour Merit champion Nicholas Fung settled for a 71 to lie a further stroke adrift on 276.
With a hat-trick of top-ten finishes on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) already this year, Jackson completed a marvellous performance at Johor Country Club where he set a new course of eight-under 64 during the third round yesterday.
“It is always nice to have a lead but I just focused on my game because I knew if I played well like I did all week, I would be clear. My driver was misbehaving a little but my short game came around really well today,” said Jackson, who totalled 17-under 271.
The Bangkok-based player practiced on some cowgrass layouts ahead of the tournament and came into the week feeling positive about his overall game.
“I played here last year and finished third, so I was really looking forward to returning. I came in early to have two full practice rounds here and the familiarity really paid off. I knew it would boil down to how I putted and I’m really pleased with the good scores I posted on all four days, especially on Friday.”
“I’ve had at least a dozen or so second places, so I’ve been a good runner-up in the past but this win definitely gives me a lot of confidence to finish the year in the top three of the Order of Merit, which would guarantee me an Asian Tour card next year.”
A double bogey on the ninth was Nachimuthu’s only undoing as he notched four birdies and an eagle for his second runner-up finish of the year. “I was not raising my hopes too much because I was seven strokes off the lead but nonetheless, the eagle on the second ensured I had a strong start. The dropped shot on the nine proved costly but I’m happy with my consistency.”
Venezuelan Wolmer, who is playing his rookie year in Asia, was delighted with his best finish so far in the region. ” Today was one of those particular day. I was playing so well for the first three days but I started the round today feeling a bit anxious as I really wanted to make up that deficit to Jackson,” said the 32-year-old.
“I struggled a bit with my driving and my iron shots and that saw me drop a few shots and from there on, the birdies dried up. But this as been my best week in Asia in four months, so I’m really happy.”
Leading final round scores
271 – Grant Jackson (ENG) 68-68-64-71
275 – R. Nachimuthu 70-69-68-68, Wolmer Murillo (VEN) 66-68-69-72
276 – Nicholas Fung 66-69-70-71
279 – Airil Rizman Zahari 71-68-69-71
280 – Ratchapol Jantavara (THA) 73-66-72-69
281 – Mitsuhiko Hashizume (JPN) 69-71-71-70, Md Rizal Amin 70-72-69-70
282 – Blake McGrogy (AUS) 72-73-68-69, Daniel Bringolf (AUS) 70-69-73-70, Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 71-70-71-70
