Dominant Ong claims Malaysian Amateur win

Marc Ong with the Malaysian Amateur Open trophy ©Mike Casper|The CubHouse
Marc Ong with the Malaysian Amateur Open trophy ©Mike Casper|The CubHouse

KUCHING [Sarawak]: Marc Ong underlined his credentials as one of South East Asia’s finest amateurs by cruising to a five-shot victory at the 113th Malaysian Amateur Open on Sunday.

Striking the ball with confidence, the 20-year-old dominated the final round proceedings with a four-under 68 at a wet and soft Kelab Golf Sarawak to snuff out the challenge of Australian Harrison Endycott, who could only return with an even-par 72.

Ong, who held at least a share of the lead since the opening round, totalled 13-under-par 275 to become the first player from south of the border to win the prestigious championship since Koh Dengshan in 2008.

Endycott’s compatriot from New South Wales, Justin Warren carded a 68 to move into third place on 283, one shot clear another Singaporean Gregory Foo (70).

Former national amateur Low Khai Jei (75) settled for a share of ninth with a three-over 292 overall, finishing the tournament as the best placed local.

Ong, who was also emerged triumphants in the Philippines Amateur Open a couple of weeks back, was ecstatic about his hot form.

“It has been an awesome week! I’m very proud of the way I played and I really can’t ask for more. I have been playing pretty well recently and the confidence is telling. It was crucial on this course to land your approaches in the right zones if you wanted to have a shot at the title and my ball-striking was up to the test.

“I don’t think I holed as many putts as I should have but to finish with a 13-under total would be a honest reflection of the hard work I put in this week,” shared Ong, who will be part of Singaporean team looking to shine at next month’s South East Asian (SEA) Games.

After a cagey opening nine playing under a constant drizzle, Ong, who turned in with a 35, notched four birdies inside six holes to steer clear of his closest rival. The only blemish on his card came courtesy of a three-putt for bogey on the 12th.

“Harrison made a really good birdie at the ninth, which put me on my toes a little bit. Even with a two-shot cushion, I knew that I had to respond and the two consecutive birdies on 10th & 11th definitely tilted the game in my favour. The bogey was pretty uncalled for but I hit some really good iron shots on the back nine to bring it home nice and tidy,” he added.

Leading results (par-72):
Malaysian unless stated
275 – Marc Ong (SIN) 68-70-69-68
280 – Harrison Endycott (AUS) 70-68-70-72
283 – Justin Warren (AUS) 70-72-73-68
284 – Gregory Foo (SIN) 71-68-75-70
286 – Sangchai Kaewcharoen (THA) 69-72-73-72
287 – Jerome Ng (SIN) 74-67-72-74
290 – Samarth Dwivedi (IND) 70-75-73-72
291 – Kevin Caesario Akbar (INA) 74-74-70-73
292 – Low Khai Jei (MAS) 73-74-70-75, Chi Huang (TPE) 73-74-71-74, Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA) 72-75-71-74, Joshua Ho (SIN) 72-73-76-71, Johnson Poh (SIN) 78-70-74-70
293 – Daeng Abdul Rahman Abd Aziz (MAS) 72-73-73-75, Aman Raj (IND) 80-71-72-70
294 – Leon Philip D’Souza (HKG) 76-74-74-70, Naraajie E RamadhanPutra (INA) 75-75-75-69
295 – Bryan Teoh Wiyang (MAS) 73-73-73-76, Yong Xuan Yin (CHN) 73-74-73-75
296 – Zihao Chen (CHN) 74-76-71-75, Fadhli Rahman Soertarso (INA) 73-75-74-74