Port Dickson [NEGERI SEMBILAN]: Thailand’s Natthapong Niyomchon overcame a spirited final round charge by local boy Kenneth De Silva to secure his maiden professional title at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) ASEAN PGA PD Championship on Saturday.
The Nakhon Sawan native rallied with three birdies on the back nine for a flawless three-under 68 to finish one clear of De Silva at the Port Dickson Golf & Country Club.
Two-time PGM Tour winner De Silva had earlier set the clubhouse target at 14-under-par on the back of a scintillating round of nine-under 62, which featured ten birdies against a sole bogey.
The 24-year-old Malaysian fell just short of forcing a shoot-out when his 30-foot eagle attempt on the last agonisingly skipped past the pin.
Filipino Michael Bibat (70) drew level with Natthapong after shooting four straight birdies from the sixth hole but could not sustain his challenge and finished alone in third place on 273.
Thailand’s Nattawat Suvajanakorn (70) was a further shot back in the RM180,000 tournament co-sanctioned with the ASEAN PGA Tour.
Nathhapong was a picture of relief after ending his decade-long wait for a maiden professional win.
“I’m really happy that I managed to hang on for this victory. I never expected that I would have to wait 10 years to lift my first professional title and I’m just very grateful for this moment,” said Natthapong.
Starting the day two shots clear of Bibat, Natthapong strung ten straight pars before draining a 30-foot birdie on the 11th to open his final round account. He added two more gains on the 14th and 16th to pip the fast-charging De Silva.
“I stuck to my gameplan and stayed composed despite not making any birdies early on. The putt on the 11th was crucial because I knew that the Malaysian player (Kenneth) ahead of my flight was on fire and I had to make a move.
“Despite feeling a little nervous towards the end, I didn’t allow the pressure to get to me . My putting had been on song all week and that gave me the confidence I needed today,” said the 26-year-old, who only dropped two shots all week.
Leading final results (Par-71) >
Malaysian unless stated
269 – Natthapong Niyomchon (THA) 66-70-65-68
270 – Kenneth De Silva 69-71-68-62
273 – Mike Bibat (PHI) 68-68-67-70
274 – Nattawat Suvajanakorn (THA) 69-69-66-70
276 – Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (THA) 71-68-70-67, Nirun Sae-Ueng (THA) 67-68-70-71
277 – R. Nachimuthu 71-70-70-66, Koh Dengshan (SIN) 70-71-70-66
278 – Mohd Sukree Othman 69-71-69-69
279 – M. Sasidaran 69-75-70-65, Kemarol Baharin 67-72-72-68, Pijit Petchakasem (THA) 75-67-68-69
