Jasin [MELAKA]: American Casey O’Toole dominated the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tiara Championship when he closed with a sparkling eight-under-par 64 to win his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title by 11 shots on Saturday.
The 25-year-old O’Toole, who held a four-shot lead heading into the final round, fired nine birdies against a lone bogey to win on 21-under-par 267 total at the RM200,000 (approx. US$50,000) tournament.
He picked up a winner’s cheque of RM35,000, stretching his lead on the ADT Order of Merit to US$52,393, and received six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for his career breakthrough at the Tiara Golf and Country Club.
Sejun Yoon, also of the United States, capped his best finish on the ADT after signing for a second consecutive 71 to take second place while Filipino Mars Pucay (69), Finland’s Janne Kaske (71) and Bangladeshi Shakhawat Sohel (71) shared third on 279.
Airil Rizman (67), Lim Eng Seng (70) and Shaaban Hussin (74) were the best-placed Malaysians on five-under 283 in joint ninth alongside Wisut Artjanawat (74) of Thailand.
O’Toole, who has notched eight other top-10s this season, proved his rising star credentials with a final round fireworks display which saw him tie his personal best 18-hole score and set a new 72-hole record for himself. He also matched the ADT’s largest winning margin record with his 11-shot triumph.
“I did everything really well today and I made a lot of nice putts. My putter was definitely the difference for me today,” said the Thailand-based O’Toole, who needed only 26 putts.
O’Toole, who hails from Alabama, got off to a flying start with five birdies in seven holes before stumbling with a bogey to turn in 32. He added four more birdies on 10th, 13th, 15th and 18th coming home which ensured a victorious walk up the 18th fairway.
“I was surprised that I actually felt very calm and relaxed this morning. I think I just got myself in a good position and I was hitting the ball well enough to give myself chances.
“This is my second year playing in Asia and it has been a great experience. Playing on the ADT has helped my game tremendously and it also allowed me to grow as a player, both physically and mentally,” added O’Toole, who has earned himself an invite for next week World Classic Championship on the Asian Tour.
