Kuala Lumpur: Hot favourite Kelly Tan overcame an early scare to grind out a hard-fought single stroke victory at the 30th edition of the Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open on Thursday.

The 19-year-old national number one secured her second championship in three years with a battling even-par 71 at the East Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

Trailing by one stroke overnight, challenger Princess Mary Superal (71) of the Philippines took over the lead midway through the final round but a double bogey on the 13th spelt an end to her title charge as she settled for a share of second on 209 alongside compatriot Cyna Rodriquez, who recorded a three-under 68

Thailand’s Suthavee Chanachai (68) and Indonesian Gavrilla Arya (70) were tied for fourth on 215, one stroke ahead of Thai lass Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (71) and India’s Gurbani Singh (73).

The strong Pinoy contingent however went home with their heads held high after winning the overall team championship as well as the Division 2 title courtesy of nine-handicapper Sophia Chabon, who carded a 15-under 198 total. Malaysia’s Fatin Aiman Afiqah Mohamad (14) topped the Division 3 contest with an even-par 213 scoreline.

Kelly cut a relieved figure as she received the challenge trophy from the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA) royal patron HRH Tunku Ampuan Negeri Sembilan Tunku Najihah Tunku Besar Burhanuddin and newly minted Youth and Sports Minister the Rt Hon Khairy Jamaluddin.

“I am honoured to win the national amateur title for the second time. I had to be patient out there today and despite falling behind Princess at the turn, I did not give up. I proceeded to give myself a lot of chances on the back nine and despite dropping a shot on the last, I am pleased with my five-under overall,” said Kelly, who totalled five-under 208.

The Johorean started positively with a birdie on third but was caught by the strong charging Princess after her ball took a drink on the ninth. The turning point however came when Kelly birdied the 14th, taking advantage of the Filipina’ slip on the previous hole for a three-shot swing in her favour.

“The 14th was pivotal as I drained a 14-foot birdie to gain a two-shot cushion. Once I re-took the lead, I told myself to hang on to the lead till the end and I managed my game well through the tricky closing holes. I misjudged the wind a little on 18th and pulled my approach a little too long than I wanted but knew that bogey would be enough to claim the win,” added Kelly, who will head to the United States of America in August to try out at the LPGA Qualifying School First Stage.

Princess admitted that her blunder on the 13th took the winds off her sails as she charged for another win on Malaysian soil. “It is disappointing because I really tried hard but it was a case of coming so close yet so far. I started strongly to put the pressure on Kelly but left myself with too much to do after the double bogey,” shared the 16-year-old reigning Malaysian and Philippines junior champion.

In another development, Khairy expressed his ministry’s support for the MALGA’s successful bid to host the Queen Sirikit Cup from April 9-11 2014 at Saujana Golf & Country Club.

“I am delighted that MALGA have won the hosting rights for the 2014 Queen Sirikit Cup, which is the most prestigious ladies amateur team championship in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I have just been briefed by MALGA officials on the championship and we will look into doing all we can to not only support the organisation of the prestigious tournament but also assist MALGA’s in their continued efforts to nurture junior girls and produce future champions in the footsteps of today’s winner Kelly Tan,” added Khairy.

Leading final round scores (Division 1)
208 – Kelly Tan (MAS) 67-70-71
209 – Cyna Rodriquez (PHI) 69-72-68, Princess Superal (PHI) 70-68-71
215 – Suthavee Chanachai (THA) 73-74-68, Gavrilla Arya (INA) 74-71-70
216 – Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (THA) 75-70-71, Gurbani Singh (IND) 74-69-73
217 – Ashley Ona (AUS) 73-71-73
218 – Loy Hee Ying (MAS) 77-71-70
219 – Parinda Phokan (THA) 72-73-74
221 – Aditi Ashok (IND) 74-72-75, Michelle Koh (MAS) 71-74-76, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (THA) 72-72-77, Pauline Del Rosario (PHI) 70-73-78