Penang, June 15 - Shaaban Hussin will celebrate his birthday tomorrow in fine style. The 33-year-old came from behind to win the PGM-ASEAN PGA Penang Classic today and did so with three strokes to spare.
With a performance that matched his career best score, the Malaysian international was bogey-free on the final day as he finished the tournament on 18-under 270. He started the fourth round at Penang Golf Resort in Bertam two shots off the lead and fired a final round seven-under 65.
The low round of the event was equaled by Mars Pucay, however, it was not enough for the Filipino, who was left to settle for a tie of second with Malaysia’s R. Nachimuthu. The latter himself closed with a 69.
In fourth spot was third round leader, Michael Tran from Vietnam. He could only muster an even-par 72, which left him a stroke further back on 14-under 274.
Arie Fauzi (68) was fifth on 276, while the Thailand duo of Atthakorn Rodrangka (67) and Nakarintra Ratanakul (71) were tied for sixth on 10-under-par.
Malaysians S. Murthy (69) and Mohd Rizal Amin (70) were joint eighth, alongside Rory Hie (70) of Indonesia on 280, one ahead of Kurnia Hershandy also from Indonesia.
Speaking after his victory, Shaaban said he felt that everything just fell into place in the final round and that he used the momentum to carry him through to the end.
Shaaban had seven birdies in all – five of them on the back nine, as he put the squeeze on to close out the tournament – and said: “I drove the ball well today and my irons were also in good shape, which gave me a lot more opportunities at birdies.
“My putting, too, was good, which meant that I buried the chances I got. I am just very happy to win it today, more so as I was two strokes back when we started the last round,” added Shaaban, who received a cheque worth RM30,000.
Nachimuthu, likewise, said he was pleased with his performance, despite not being on the winner’s podium.
“My congratulations go to Shaaban who played exceptionally well today,” Nachimuthu said graciously afterwards. “But so far as my own game goes, I am pleased with how I played this week. I could not do better than three-under in the final round, but on another day it might have been good enough to win. All the same, I am confident with the way I’m striking the ball and I’m looking forward to the Selangor Masters next week.”
Tun Ahmad Sarji, chairman of the PGM Tour, said they were delighted with the way the tournament turned out, in terms of organisation and the way it was received by the local golf community of Penang and the players.
“This event was full of positives for the PGM Tour,” said Tun Sarji. “It had a huge international field and the quality of golf was of a high standard, partly so because of the Asean PGA’s (Professional Golf Association) involvement.
“We are happy to work alongside the Asean PGA, as these tournaments go a long way to helping us develop the sport in Malaysia.
“And we are cognizant of the fact that these events are now being held around the country, as opposed to just the Klang Valley,” added Tun Sarji.
The next stop on the PGM Tour is the Satellite Tournament at Penang Golf Resort from June 17-19, followed by the RM200,000 PGM UMW Templer Park Masters (ADT) at Templer Park Country Club in Rawang, Selangor from June 26-29.
Leading Scores (Malaysian unless stated otherwise):
270 - Shaaban Hussin 67-69-69-65
273 - Mars Pucay (Phi) 71-69-68-65, R Nachimuthu 68-66-70-69
274 - Michael Tran (Vie) 68-68-66-72
276 - Arie Fauzi 67-69-72-68
278 - Atthakorn Rodrangka (Tha) 74-67-70-67, Nakarintra Ratanakul (Tha) 66-72-69-71
280 - S. Murthy 71-67-73-69, Rory Hie (Ina) 70-70-70-70, Mohd Rizal Amin 68-73-69-70
Selected:
281 - Kurnia Hershandy (Ina) 69-73-70-69
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