Saturday September 22, 2012

A high for Malaysia's Low and Mary takes third title for Philippines

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Low Khai Jei and Princess Mary Superal of the Philippines completed wire-to-wire victories to take home the boys’ and girls’ titles respectively in the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open golf championships at the Saujana Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Khai Jei, who missed out on the title last year when he missed a birdie putt on the last hole, made up for it in style on the final day when he destroyed the field to win by a massive 13 strokes.

Princess Mary, meanwhile, was just as impressive, clinching the girls’ crown by a whopping 12 strokes.

“Playing on my home turf certainly has its advantages and I’m glad I won. It is quite a surprise to have won by such a big margin,” said Khai Jei.

The zero-handicapper scored four-under 212 following rounds of 71, 69, 72 and became the fourth Malaysian after Muhammad Azry (2011), Gavin Kyle Green (2009) and Akhmal Tarmizi Nazari (2007) to claim the crown. Compatriots Muhammad Naqiuddin and Paul San finished on nine-over 225.

Paul, 15, refused to comment on his performance after probably the worst round of his career – five bogeys, a triple bogey, a double bogey and only one birdie on the 13th.

Mary, meanwhile, made it three wins on the trot for her country when she shot an even-par 146 following rounds of 72, 70 and 74.

“I had a lot to overcome and the double bogey I got on the third was not unexpected because the shots were just not working out for me. I recovered straight after but the courses here in Malaysia are different, there’s more obstacles and the greens are fast,” said Mary.

Malaysia’s Nur Durriyah Damian finished second on 12-over 228.

“It was tough and I certainly didn’t realise that I was in second position. I got a lot of bogeys, around four, I think,” said Durriyah, who carded four bogeys and four birdies.

Three strokes behind Durriyah stood Genevieve Ling, who failed to maintain her second standing after coming in at four-over on the last day for a 231 total.

Leading final round scores (Malaysian unless stated)

Boys

212: Low Kha Jei 71-69-72; 225: Muhammad Naqiuddin 74-75-76, Paul San 71-73-81; 233: Park Chang-uk (Kor) 75-75-83

Girls

216: Princes Mary Superal (Phi) 72-70-74; 228: Nur Durriyah Damian 76-78-74; 231: Genevieve Ling 76-77-78.

Boys

Under-18: 234: Joshua Gibbons (Eng); 241: Kim Myon-kon (Kor)

Under-16: 212: Low Khai Jei; 225: Muhd Naqiuddin 225 (on count back)

Under-14: 238: Ervin Chang; 240: Leon Philip D’Souza

Girls

Under-18: 228: Nur Durriyah Damian; 231: Geneveive Ling

Under-16: 216: Princess Mary Superal (Phi); 238: Abigail Chong