100+.golfIT was a flight of success on his maiden trip to United Kingdom in July – winning two titles, one in Glasgow and one in London and Malaysia’s rising golf star Bryan Teoh hopes to add another – the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open title to his list for a perfect 14th birthday present which falls on Malaysia Day.

The 100PLUS Junior Open Championships, which begin at the Sabah Golf & Country Club in Kota Kinabalu tomorrow, has drawn a strong field from nine countries – Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, England, Hong Kong and Korea.

Bryan won the Loretto Schools Golf Championships in Glasgow with rounds of 68 and 75 and in the process became the first foreign player to win the title in five years. Two weeks earlier, Bryan won the Carris Trophy tournament in London where he walked away with the Under-16 category title and finished tied seven in the Under-18 category after rounds of 76, 68, 77, 76. His 68 was also the lowest score of the day and a new club record.

This is the third time the Penangite is playing at the Sabah Golf & Country Club. His previous two outings at this club ended with him winning the Under-8 and Under-10 tournaments. Will he achieve a hattrick for a perfect early birthday present?

“To win is very hard…you need a bit of luck golf too in  golf to achieve that. I just want to play well in this year’s 100PLUS junior tournament but I hope to achieve success,” was Bryan’s quick reply after his practice round at the Sabah Golf & Country Club today.

“However, I will not put undue pressure on myself as I want to be happy…as I know there is something big (my birthday) next week. I would not want to spoil that in anyway.”

Bryan, a student of SM Jit Sin, in Sri Rambai, Penang, is also chasing a dream – to be either a pilot or an aviation engineer – something his mother Amy Wong is “not too keen” – as she does not want to be worried about her only son for reasons which are best known to all.

Dad Teoh Hai Hock is a businessman while Amy Wong is a full-time housewife who chaperon’s Bryan most of the time. The couple also has a daughter who is currently studying in Australia.

According to Amy, who is in Kota Kinabalu with Bryan, revealed that her son is also very much interested in automation industry.

Bryan started playing golf at the age of five and Tiger Woods is his idol.

“You need mental strength to be like Tiger Woods. It’s not easy. He is my idol and my inspiration.”

With his parents fully backing up in his golf career, Bryan has been to the United States eight times and United Kingdom, Australia once and China numerous times.

Bryan was quick to admit that he still lacks “iron approach to the greens” – something he has been working on “extra hard” to further improve his golf.

“I have very supportive parents, especially his Dad, who is also a golfer.  They are the driving force behind my golf,” added Bryan whose handicap is zero.

This is Bryan’s second appearance in the 100PLUS Junior Championships. Last year he finished in the top 10.

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