Saturday July 4, 2009

Malacca’s hole-in-one

Story by PERCY D’ CRUZ

Proud day: Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant posing with the Heritage Classic Malacca trophy.

MALACCA: The recent Heritage Melaka Classic golf tournament at Tiara Malacca Golf and Country Club helped boost sports tourism here by promoting Malacca as one of the country’s top golfing haven.

With a total cash prize of US$50,000 offered, the tournament attracted the participation of several local and regional pro golfers such as Danny Chia, Airil Rizman Zahari, Ben Leong and S.Sivachandran.

However, it was Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant who turned in a late flurry on the final day to pick up the US$8,126 winner’s cheque.

Thaworn hogged the limelight on the opening day with 10 birdies to finish with a nine-under 63 to take a three-stroke lead over his compatriot Pongthep Jaewchamnanchap while Singapore’s Quincy Quek occupied third rung on a five-under 67 score.

With overnight leader Sattaya Supupramai of Thailand managing only a three-over 75 on the second day, it was the turn of Filipino Antonio Lascuna who moved to the front, putting a six-under 66 for a two-day total of 10-under 134.

Lascuna, a Manila-based pro whose last major regional win was at the 2007 Selangor Masters, sank nine birdies against three bogeys to lead Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing (136) and Thai Pongthep (137) after two rounds of play.

In the rough: Filipino Antonio Lascuna plodding his way out of the rough.

With Malaysia’s pros still continuing to trail, Singapore’s Chih Bing took a two shot lead after the third day of play.

With putting in fine form, the 32-year-old Singaporean carded five birdies and a solitary bogey for a four-under 68 and an overall score of 204.

On the final day, Thaworn, the Asia number one in 2005, saw his long game and fine putting coming together. He posted a final round of four-under 68 for an overall four day total of 12-under 276 to lift the title.

Chih Bing carded a final day one-over 73 for an overall 11-under 277 for second spot while Singaporean Mardan Mamat finished third with an overall score of 278.

“My putting was solid on the final day, a factor that deserted me in the earlier three rounds,” said Thaworn.

“However, everything fell into place including my positive mental aspect which enabled me to snatch a come from behind victory,” Thaworn said.

The best among the Malaysian finishers were Leong and Sivachandran who finished joint fourth with an eight-under 280.

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