Puchong [SELANGOR]: Nicholas Fung demonstrated his matchplay prowess as he clinched a hard-fought 3&1 win over Shaifubari Muda to lift the PGM I&P Match Play Championship on Saturday.

The final match looked like a one-sided affair early on as top seed Fung stormed to 4-up lead in as many holes before Shaifubari birdied the fifth to reduce the arrears at Kinrara Golf Club.

Fung appeared to be cruising to an early shower but the wily Shaifubari had other ideas, slotting home another birdie on the 12th before chipping in from outside the green on the 15th to reduce the deficit to just one hole.

But the fightback proved a brief one as he two-putted for bogey on the very next hole to hand the initiative back to Fung, who held on resolutely with a halve on the 17th to record his 15th title on the flourishing domestic circuit.

Fung looked in imperious mood all week defeating S. Tamilchelvan 5&3 in the opening round before outplaying Farid Rashid 7&5 in a lopsided round of 16 match.

Teenager Shahrifuddin Ariffin proved a tougher cookie to crack in the quarter final, going down 2&1 before Fung secured his place in the final, thanks to 5&4 victory over Sivachandran Supramaniam.

“It was certainly a week to cherish and my approach play was just delightful at times, paving the way for this win, said Fung, who picked up RM30, 600 to further strengthen his top spot on the Order of Merit.

“I’ve always enjoyed this format because of the high-stakes involved. It doesn’t matter whether you’re seeded or not, it’s man against man in every round and I rose to the occasion in every match. My first-ever professional title in 2010 (Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam) was also a matchplay event, so it rekindled some fond memories,” he added.

“I have to give credit to Shaifubari. Four shots down, he came back and pushed me all the way until the 17th hole. It was a real titanic battle.”