Ikhmal, Vinisha crowned national champions

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: Vinisha (left) and Ikhmal ©Azmizan Nordin|TCH

Hulu Selangor [SELANGOR]: Ikhmal Basry clinched the biggest win yet of his amateur career when he defeated Nordin Yahaya at the 52nd playing of the Malaysian Amateur Closed championship at Bukit Beruntung Golf & Country Club on October 21.

The Universiti Utara Malaysia-National Golf Academy undergraduate fired an even-par 72 in the final round to force a play-off with both players finishing level on five-over 221.

Having parred the first extra hole, Ikhmal proceeded to birdie the 18th on the third time of asking to secure the title – joining a long list of illustrious names to have won the championship including Nachimuthu Ramasamy, Danny Chia and Gavin Kyle Green.

Not surprisingly, Vinisha Gunaseelan topped a weakened ladies’ field, running away with a whopping 32-stroke victory, following rounds of 70, 76 and 74. Allycia Gan was a distant second on 252.

LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES (PAR-72)
MEN
221 – Muhd Ikhmal Basry 78-71-72, Nordin Yahaya 72-76-73
Ikhmal wins with a birdie on the second play-off hole
222 – Sazanur Iman 77-72-73
226 – Zia Izzudeen Abdul Rashid 77-77-72
227 – Marcus Lim Pang Chien 77-74-76
228 – Zia Iqmal Abdul Rashid 74-77-77
230 – Irfan Syahmi Norshahrudin 79-75-76, Ahmad Ejaaz 75-75-80
234 – Sheikh Abdul Razak Rawof 82-78-74
236 – Isaac To Chern Yi 82-75-79

LADIES
220 – Vinisha Gunaseelan 70-76-74
252 – Allycia Gan 85-81-86
258 – Zaty Umairah Halim 86-88-84
267 – Kong Yi Wei 84-94-89
268 – Rubanyah Sedopathy 92-88-88