Riordan relishes breakthrough win

Sean Riordan ©Arep Kulal|PGM
Sean Riordan ©Arep Kulal|PGM

PORT DICKSON [Negeri Sembilan]: Kiwi Sean Riordan erased the heartbreak of missing the grade at the Asian Tour Qualifying School by win his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Port Dickson Championship on Saturday.

Riordan, who led the RM200,000 event after the second round, endured a nervous finish as he signed off with an even-par 71 for a four-day total of 11-under-par 273 to snatch a one-shot victory over close friend Paul Donahoo of Australia at the Port Dickson Golf and Country Club.

The Malaysian trio of Shaaban Hussin, R.Nachimuthu and Kemarol Baharin shared third place together with Sweden’s Oskar Arvidsson on 275 total at the PGM Port Dickson Championship, which is the 13th leg of this season’s ADT Schedule.

Starting the day with a comfortable three-shot advantage, a nervous Riordan saw that lead quickly disappear as he dropped three shots in his first seven holes. The New Zealander managed to redeem himself by firing two birdies on eight and nine.

After turning in 36, he continued his search for more birdies but it would not come until the closing 18th hole where his decisive putt from 10ft would be enough for him to fend off the spirited challenge from Donahoo, who had posted the day’s lowest score of 66.

“It was a rough day but I managed to get the job done. Iug deep and remained very patient and I just can’t wait to go back home and celebrate this victory with my wife now,” said Riordan.

The 26-year-old knows he has a good chance of playing his wa back to the premier Asian Tour, having made a big jump to the third place on the ADT money list with his maiden victory.

“It’s good to know I’m back with a chance of playing on the Asian Tour and this victory has definitely given me the confidence and motivation to do better,” said Riordan.

Despite surmounting a strong challenge on the final day with six birdies and one bogey, Donahoo was magnanimous in defeat and tipped his hat to his traveling roommate and close friend.

“Sean’s a great guy and a very good player. He deserves this victory more than anything else. I managed to hole several good putts today but I guess I should have done more of that earlier in the week,” said the Australian.

Leading final round scores (Par-71) >
Malaysian unless stated
273 – Sean Riordan (NZL) 71-62-69-71
274 – Paul Donahoo (AUS) 71-71-66-66
275 – Oskar Arvidsson (SWE) 74-68-67-66, Shaaban Hussin 70-68-69-68, R. Nachimuthu 68-71-68-68, Kemarol Baharin 68-70-67-70
277 – Arwed Fischer (GER) 72-70-69-66, Airil Rizman Zahari 71-65-70-71, Chanat Sakupolphaisan (THA) 69-70-66-72, Micah Lauren Shin (USA) 69-70-66-72
278 – Mohd Wafiyuddin Abdul Manaf 72-69-68-69, Hans Jamil 70-67-69-72
279 – Tyler Ekenberg (USA) 71-69-72-67