Kuching [SARAWAK]: Jeremiah Kim clinched his maiden Tour victory on Saturday after pipping compatriot Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz and American Samuel Cyr to the title at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) MNRB Championship.
Kim signed for a four-under 68 to eke out a one-shot victory on seven-under-par at Kelab Golf Sarawak.
The 24-year-old Malaysian, who opened his campaign with a 69, marked his card with one eagle and five birdies against three bogeys to seal his victory at the RM225,000 tournament, which had been reduced to 36 holes after two days of play was lost due to the hazy conditions in Kuching.
Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam posted a closing 69 to finish two shots away from Kim in fourth, followed by Malaysia’s Sasidaran Muthiah (69) in fifth.
A year on from earning his professional breakthrough at the CIMB National Championship, Kim was left finding for words after his latest victory.
Needing to go low, he did not enjoy the best of starts when he bogeyed the opening hole. But the burly Kim recovered with a birdie on the third, before sinking an eagle on the par-five fifth hole.
He kept going with another three birdies on the back nine and did not let the consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 bother him as he bounced back with a closing birdie on 18.
“I never expected it to be honest, I’m still trying to take it in,” said the former national, who pocketed RM39,375 for his efforts.
“I had fun out there. I hit the ball good, stayed patient and played my own game. I bogeyed 16 and 17, but birdied the last hole so it was nice. It was still hazy out there but I didn’t wear a mask because it would have affected my game,” added Kim, also becomes the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Development Tour in 2019.
Daeng Abdul Rahman, who opened up a four-shot on lead with a solid 65 on Wednesday, was distraught after battling to a 73 to let the title slip away.
“I was hoping to add an ADT crown to my collection and was really looking forward to winning it today. But it is difficult when you made four bogeys out there,” said Daeng.