Bangi [SELANGOR]: A battling Razli Yahya rallied from an eight-stroke deficit for his first professional title at the PGM Senior Championship on November 15.

A solid final day effort of even-par 72 saw the 50-year-old Perakian pip A. Anthonysamy to the title by two strokes.

Kalana Ibrahim, who led through the opening two rounds, tanked with a closing 83 to settle for a share of third alongside Cash Lee (72) and 2017 champion Musa Fakir (76).

Playing in the second last flight, Razli was genuinely surprised when he was declared the champion after the overnight challengers fell back on a day of tough scoring.

“It’s a pleasant shock to be honest but it [the first win] means a lot. I didn’t really fancy my chances this week as I was debuting in the senior’s division,” said Razli, who totalled eight-over 224 for his biggest career cheque of RM35,000.

“I was just hoping for a final push up the leaderboard but fortunately, it was enough for the crown. Fortunately, I didn’t have a clue that I was in contention because it could have all gotten to my head!” he joked.

LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES (PAR-72)
224 – Razli Yahya 78-74-72
226 – A. Anthonysamy 72-73-81
227 – Cash Lee 77-78-72, Musa Fakir 76-75-76, Kalana Ibrahim 71-73-83
230 – Jamaludin Bador 81-73-76, Periyono Dolsalim 77-75-78, Chan Soo Keong 73-77-80
234 – Mohd Rusli Johari 82-76-76, Ariffin Haji Omar 78-80-76, Arumugam Vengadasalam 77-77-80