National junior golfers Ashley Lau, Adam Arif Madzri and Nor Harith Nor Hadi carry Malaysia’s hopes for a title in the AmBank SportExcel International Junior Golf 2015 which begun yesterday at the Templer Park Country Club in Rawang, Selangor.
Ashley holds a slender one stroke lead over tournament favourite and SEA Games champion Princess Superal from Phillipines going into tomorrow’s final round of the Girl’s 15-18 category. She carded a 72 today for a two-day total of 145 against Princess’ 146.
“I didn’t feel nervous today with Princess trailing by a shot behind me as I didn’t expect to win the tournament. However, I have a chance to win tomorrow and anything can happen. My game plan for the final round is to stay calm, do my best and make my parents proud,” said Ashley who hails from Sarawak and is coached by Ian Triggs from Australia.
In the Boy’s 13-14 category, Adam Arif is in joint first place with Thailand’s Thanaphon Aphinyawutthikun with a two-round total of 152. Both players scored identical 77 and 75 scores in the first and second round to set up a tight finish tomorrow. However another Malaysian, Victor Ng and Rugthai Thongsom from Hills Academy Australia are also in contention for the title as both players carded a 153 total.
The Boy’s 11-12 category is an all Malaysian affair with the top three positions filled by Malaysians – Nor Harith (167), Feirish Nor Feizal Nor (169) and Mohd Aidil Samsol Baharie (174) and the title looks a good bet to head Malaysia’s way if all things goes as plan.
In other categories, Nopparat Panichpon leads the Boy’s 15-18 category with a two-day total of 139, Bernice Llas of Philippines shooting a 147 to head the Girl’s 13-14 category and Japan’s Kokoro Ouchi in the driving seat with a total of 154 in the Girl’s 11-12 category.
A total of 50 international players from Thailand (eight), India (seven), Singapore (one), China (four), Hong Kong (six), Japan (three), Taiwan (four), South Korea (four), Australia (nine), Indonesia (one) and Philippines (three) are competing in this tournament. They will be vying for the Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Hashim trophy, named after the AmBank Group Chairman.
The main prize categories in the Championship are:
1st-4th Placing for each category.
1st-3rd Placing for Boys (Blue Tee) and Girls (White Tee).
1st – 2nd Placing for Team Championship (One Boy – Blue Tee and One Girl – White Tee)
In addition, a Best Player from the Blue or White Tee will receive a one-year scholarship from Hills Golf Academy, Gold Coast, Australia worth approximately RM128,000 or $42,000 Australian Dollar (AUD).
Results (Malaysians unless stated):
Second Round Scores
Boys
15-18 –
139: Nopparat Panichpon(THA) 70-69
144: Lin Wei-Jie (TPE) 75-69
145: Genki Okada (JPN) 71-74
13-14 –
152: Thanaphon Aphinyawutthikun (THA) 77-75
152: Adam Arif Madzri 77-75; 153
Victor Ng 78-75; 153: Rugthai Thongsom (AUS) 79-74
11-12:
167: Nor Harith Nor Hadi 90-77
169: Feirish Nor Feizal Nor 85-84
174: Mohd Aidil Samsol Baharie 84-90
Girls
15-18:
145: Ashley Lau 73-72
146: Princess Superal (PHI) 74-72
151: Jenny Ham (THA) 77-74
13-14:
147: Bernice Llas (PHI) 74-73
152: Winnie Ng 75-77
160: Selina Li (HKG) 83-77
11-12:
154: Kokoro Ouchi (JPN) 79-75
164: Angel Hii 84-80
164: Pemika Arphamongkol (THA) 82-82
