Jasin [MELAKA]: Shaaban Hussin overcame a late blip to claimed his third Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour title at the Orna Melaka Championship in convincing fashion on Saturday.

The ever-popular Shaaban, who had begun the day with a two-stroke lead, bogeyed his two closing holes to end with a round of one-under 71 for an eight-under-par 280 total at the Orna Golf & Country Club.

He finished three strokes clear of Shaifubari Muda (71) and Lam Yu Shuen (72), who took a share of second, ahead of current Order of Merit leader R. Nachimuthu (73), who showed flashes of his good early season to settle for fourth on 284 in the RM160,000 tournament.

Nicholas Fung returned with a 73 of his own to lie a further shot back in fifth with Hans Jamil in sixth after a closing 70.

Dedicating the victory to his wife, Shaaban admitted that he felt comfortable all week on a long-layout that suited his game.

I’m very happy to be back on track again and I thank God for this win. I’m really glad that my wife, who is back on a one-month break from work in Saudi Arabia, was able to cheer me on today and that made a difference.

“I played well all week but I had a five-shot cushion coming down the stretch and decided I didn’t want to risk it. Gave back a couple of shots but got back to clubhouse safe and sound,” said the 34-year-old, in reference to his bogey-bogey finish.

“I have come close a few times recently but have not been able to close out the tournament and it’s very satisfying to add another title to my belt,” he added.

For Shaifubari, it was his second runner-up finish this season and one that he was pleased with. “I performed a lot better than I expected to this week. I had nine birdies in my second round (offset by a double-bogey and three bogeys) and today I finished with a 71. So overall, I’m happy with how I played,” said Shaifubari, whose one and only victory came at the Harvard Classic in 2012.

“I have played a couple of good events this season so I am confident that if I can put together four good rounds, I could maybe win a second PGM title – that’s my goal.”

Leading final round scores
280 – Shaaban Hussin 70-68-71-71
283 – Shaifubari Muda 74-67-71-71, Lam Yu Shuen 70-69-72-72
284 – R.Nachimuthu 71-69-71-73
285 – Nicholas Fung 74-68-70-73
286 – Hans Jamil 70-75-71-70
287 – Nicholas Pua 67-71-76-73
288 – Akmal Tarmizee Nazari 75-71-71-71, Keegan Kam 69-72-75-72
289 – Khor Kheng Hwai 74-72-71-72