Subang: National junior Amir Nazrin Jailani claimed his biggest crown yet after clinching a hard-fought victory at the prestigious 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open on Friday.
The 16-year-old carded his lowest round of the tournament with a closing one-under 71 at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, totalling two-over 218 to beat Thailand’s Suradit Yongchareonchai and compatriot Albright Chong by two shots.
Suzairi Iqmah (75) was placed fourth on 223 while early pacesetter Danial Hj Mohd Sidek (75) was three strokes adrift in fifth.
Amir, who started the round level with Albright, benefited from a stretch of three birdies to succeed Low Khai Jei as the national junior champion in the face of a strong final round charge by Suradit (69).
“It has not sunk in really, I’m still a bit shocked to be honest because I’ve not won a tournament for almost two years. Nonetheless, I’m really pleased to have raised my game this week and grind out a good result,” said Amir, who credited his father for being by his side throughout the tournament.
It proved a disappointing campaign for a luckless Albright, who also missed out on a berth at the South East Asia (SEA) Games. “It was disappointing for sure but I gave my best. It was just not my week – I could have drove the ball better off the tees and converted those crucial putts that made the difference,” shared the reigning Malaysian Games (SUKMA) champion.
In the girls’ category, Thai amateur champion Budsabakorn Sukaphan held on for a wire-to-wire victory, signing off a solid tournament with a two-under 70 to stave off a strong challenge from defending champion Princess Superal (68).
The 16-year-old Budsabakorn totalled nine-under 207 to claim her maiden international win by a single shot.
“At the start of the round, I really thought that I was not going to win. Princess came back strongly and it was really nerve-wrecking at the end. There was a lot of pressure as every minute of the game and every shot became very important.”
Countered Princess: “I tried to keep up the chase but she (Budsabakorn) was just in the zone and it was tough going after falling so far behind.”
Malaysia’s Loy Hee Ying (73) took up the third spot on the podium with a three-day score of 218 with Hongkong’s Li Kai Wing (72) three shots further back in fourth.
Leading final round scores
Boys’
218 – Amir Nazrin Jailani 75-72-71
220 – Suradit Yongchareonchai (THA) 77-74-69, Albright Chong Ming Soon 74-73-73
223 – Suzairi Iqmah 76-72-75
226 – Daniel Hj Mohd Sidek 73-78-75
227 – Mohd Danial Faidz 77-75-75
228 – Kiishaan Tharmalingam 76-76-76
229 – Bryan Teoh Wiyang 78-77-74
230 – Reza Iskandar 78-80-72, Khavish Varman Varadan 77-79-74, Aaerishna Shahsthy Balakrishnan 80-71-79
Girls’
207 – Budsabakorn Sukapan 67-70-70
208 – Princess Mary Superal (PHI) 68-72-68
218 – Loy Hee Ying 72-73-73
221 – Li Ka wing (HKG) 75-74-72
222 – Nur Durriyah Damian 75-73-74
225 – Kelie Kan Kah Yan
227 – Sofia Chabon (PHI) 78-76-73, Mikhaela Fortuna (PHI) 78-71-78
229 – Nur Eliana Ariffin 76-72-81
234 – Ashley Lau Jen Wen 79-77-78
