SINGAPORE: Nicholas Fung will have to wait a little longer for his breakthrough on the Asian Tour after losing out to Thailand’s Danthai Boonma at the World Classic Championship at Laguna National on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Sabahan posted a one-over 72 at the challenging Laguna National Golf and Country Club to finish one short off the winning total on one-under 283.
Nineteen-year-old Danthai claimed his maiden Asian Tour title when he carded a two-under 69. The 2013 Myanmar SEA Games gold medallist pulled himself alongside Fung for the lead on two-under with his third birdie of the day on the 13th hole.
Fung’s challenge at the US$750,000 tournament effectively ended when he three-putted the par-four 16th for bogey.
“The hole that cost me the title this week was the 16th hole where I missed a two-foot putt to save par.
“I knew Danthai was ahead of me by one after that but I also knew there were still birdie opportunities on 17th and 18th,” said Fung, who nonetheless picked up a fat pay cheque of US$82,500.
After making par on 17th, the Malaysian had another chance to pile the pressure on Danthai on 18th where a birdie would have forced a play-off. However a poor putt meant he had to settle for a runner-up spot.
“I misjudged my putt on 18 where I should have hit the ball slightly to the right. But it’s okay. This may not be my week but I’m still proud I managed to prove myself under such challenging conditions. This is golf. What’s yours will be yours one day,” he added.
It was Fung’s second runner-up finish, having tied for second at the Indonesian Open in 2013 and propelled him to 37th on the Order of Merit – all but surely securing his playing rights for 2016.
Meanwhile national number one Danny Chia returned with a 72 for a three-over 287 to tie for eighth spot, taking home US$17,212 to move up to seventh in the money list.
Leading final round scores (Par-71) >
Malaysian unless stated
282 – Danthai Boonma (THA) 72-69-72-69
283 – Nicholas Fung 74-67-70-72
284 – Wang Jeung-hun (KOR) 69-75-71-69
285 – Sam Brazel (AUS) 69-74-72-70
286 – Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 71-71-77-67, Prom Meesawat (THA) 73-73-70-70, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 76-69-69-72
287 – Scott Barr (AUS) 69-71-76-71, Danny Chia 73-72-70-72
288 – Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 79-68-68-73
