Shah Alam: Danny Chia enjoyed a successful title defence after seeing off the challenge of Thailand’s Sattaya Supupramai on the third play-off hole at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Northport Glenmarie Championship on Saturday.
Chia, who is on the comeback trail after surgery on a career-threatening neck and shoulder injury, closed with a four-under-par 68 to force a sudden-death as the duo finished level on 13-under-par 275 in regulation play at the RM200,000 (approximately US$60,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
Another Thai Piya Swangarunporn finished third with a closing 67 to mark his best finish on the ADT this season at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Garden course.
Sattaya and Chia had to endure an agonizing wait as as lightning forced a two-hour suspension just after the end of regulation play. The first two playoff holes were played on the 18th before moving to the 17th where Chia emerged victorious.
He became only the second player following Elmer Salvador of the Philippines to successfully defend his title on the fledging ADT, which was inaugurated in 2010.
Reigning PGM and ADT Order of Merits champion Nicholas Fung of Malaysia signed for a 68 to share fourth place with Thailand’s Suppakorn Uthaipat on matching 277s.
Chia was pleased to return into the winner’s circle again after spending most of 2013 on the sidelines after undergoing a surgery to remove bone fragments which were pressing on a nerve.
“I feel fantastic right now. I was feeling nervous during the rain-delay actually. I just can’t wait to get out to the course! My putting helped me a lot today. I managed to hole a lot of good putts,” said the 41-year-old.
“I still need a bit of rehab to regain strength in my right arm. The doctor is not convinced that I should start playing now because I’m not 100% recovered. But my hardwork has been producing results lately and this victory means a lot to me,” added Chia, who was the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour in 2002.
Chia also dedicated the victory to his wife and mother in celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday.
“It has been a tiring week honestly having to play more than 18 holes a day but I am feeling great right now. I can’t wait to go home and celebrate with my wife and mum tonight! It will be a double celebration for us since it’s Mother’s Day tomorrow,” smiled Chia, who took home the winner’s prize purse of US$10,720 and earned six Official World Golf Ranking points courtesy of his victory.
Leading final round scores (Malaysian unless stated):
275 – Danny Chia 72-67-68-68, Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 68-69-68-70 (Chia wins on third playoff hole)
276 – Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 68-73-68-67
277 – Suppakorn Uthaipat (THA) 70-69-73-65, Nicholas Fung 69-68-72-68
279 – Shubhankar Sharma (IND) 69-70-69-71
281 – Arie Irawan 68-71-72-70
282 – Nattapong Niyomchon (THA) 71-70-71-70), James Bryne (USA) 73-67-69-73, R.Nachimuthu 70-70-73-69, Wolmer Murillo (VEN) 70-67-74-71
284 – Grant Jackson (CAN) 73-69-70-72, Peter Richardson (ENG) 71-72-70-71, Shaaban Hussin 72-69-69-74, Lin Kuan-Po (TPE) 70-69-75-70, Kenneth De Silva 74-63-72-75
