A slow and steady approach did it for Malaysia’s Amir Nazrin Jailani as he strolled to his second crown in the boy’s division of the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Open here today at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf and Country Club.
The joint-leaders at the end of a humid first day with Sazanur Iman Salenin, the 18-year-old pulled away on the second and third day of competition with a one-under par 71 for a three-day total of 215.
Genki Okada, who was third yesterday, tried to attack the course but his 72 on the final day improved his overall position to second with a 218.
On third was Ervin Chang, whose two-under par 70 was the best of the day as he moved up from eighth in the final count.
“It was a little different from yesterday. I did not really pushed hard until after the first nine where I was not gunning for a birdie at all. So I just maintained my stroke to the final hole,” said Amir, who had won the crown back in 2013.
“I have really enjoyed the tournament over the years and I hope that some of my other friends would do well in the next edition.
“I have not decided on whether to turn pro just yet. I just want to enjoy playing golf that’s all. I might consider to turn professional if I can be consistently under.”
In the meantime in the girl’s division, yesterday’s leader Rivani Adelia Sihotang of Indonesia slipped up on the final day of competition to allow Pimnipa Panthong of Thailand to win the crown.
Rivani’s 75 on the day was just no match for Pimnipa who blew away the competition with a superb 68 to emerge as the best among the girls.
Pimnipa amassed a three-day total of 220 as against Rivani’s 223.
Malaysia’s Nur Eliana Ariffin could not improve her position from third with a poor 76 for 227 over three days.
“Today I really played very well with four birdies and no bogies. I went all out for the course and came back with the right score. I like the course here in Malaysia very much as it is very similar to Thailand’s,” added Pimnipa.
“My approach shot today was good – better than from the last two days. That made the difference in the final count.”
LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES
BOYS
215 Amir Nazrin Jailani 71 73 71
218 Genki Okada 75 71 72
220 Ervin Chang 74 76 70
223 Albright Chong Ming Soon 75 73 75
223 Sazanur Iman Salenin 71 74 78
224 Muhammad Afif Mohd Fathi 76 71 77
225 Naraajie Emerald Ramadhanputra 74 77 74
225 Ekpharit Wu 79 71 75
227 Rhaasikhanesh Kanavathi 76 72 79
228 Yu-Wei Chan 77 76 75
GIRLS
220 Pimnipa Panthong 76 76 68
223 Rivani Adelia Sihotang 74 74 75
227 Nur Eliana Ariffin 73 78 76
228 Harmi Nicole Constantino 76 77 75
228 Kim Joo Yeon 70 81 77
229 Winnie Ng Yu Xuan 74 78 77
229 Raeysha Surendran 75 76 78
236 Natasha Andrea Oon 80 77 79
237 Kelie Kan Kah Yan 78 80 79
240 Sifat Sagoo 83 81 76
The 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Golf Open and also the 100PLUS National Junior Badminton Circuit are among the several youth programmes and competitions supported by 100PLUS, Malaysia’s leading isotonic beverage.
The others include the Minister of Education League Cup and also the 100PLUS Super Cup. 100PLUS is recommended by the National Sports Council.
PHOTO CAPTION
Cariessa Goh, Corporate Affairs Manager, F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd; Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, MGA President; Amir Nazrin Jailani (Malaysia, Boy’s Winner); Pimnipa Panthong (Thailand, Girl’s winner); Datuk Kamal Harun, Consultant, F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd; Ishak Mohd Esa, MGA General Manager.
