After carding the lowest round on Saturday third round of 8-under-par 64, simultaneously created a course record at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf & Country Club, Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng of Thailand breezed through in the final round of the 116th Malaysian Amateur Open to clinch the title. His final-round 1-over-par 73 secured him the victory for a tournament total 16-under-par 272.
Conducted by the Malaysian Golf Association, the 116th Malaysian Amateur Open at Shah Alam, Selangor is a 72-hole stroke play event being played on the par-72, 6,373-metreSultan-Alam course at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf & Country Club. The 126-player field features players from Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Cambodia, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Netherland, Pakistan, Philippines, Oman, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand and Malaysia. In all, 18 foreign countries were represented.
The tournament, began in 1894 at Penang Golf Club is one of the oldest amateur events in the world. That consistency has helped create a tournament steeped in tradition and has helped produced many champions who have graduated to paid rank like Robert Allenby, Stephen Leaney, Mardan Mamat, Tongchai Jaidee, Mike Campbell and Gavin Kyle Green to name a few.
Witchayanon Chothirunrungruengwho was part of the Thailand Winning Team at the 2017 Nomura Cup carded 3 birdies; 3 bogeys and 1 double bogeyen route to victory. Witchayanon was the favorite to win the Championship after carding 8-under-par 64on Saturday with a comfortable 8-stroke lead.
“My game feels really good right now,” he said. “I’m just going to try and keep it up and get ready for the Asian Games in August.”
“I hope I can carry the momentum up to Asian Games in Jakarta,” Witchayanonexplained. “To be able to SEA Games, Nomura Cup and Asian Games would be awesome.”
Witchayanon’s teammate, Sadom Kaewkanja had to settle for second place after carding 2-under-par 70 today for 11-under-par 277 tournament total. His 2 bogeys neutralized the 2 birdies he scored on each nine.
“It was a tough day,” Sadomsaid. “I was able to reduce the deficit to 1 stroke only with Witchayanon.”
Thailand repeated its brilliant performance in 115th Malaysian Amateur Open in Sabah by claiming first, second and third place in this year’s edition. 2017 SEA Games gold medalist, Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailandwas content to claim third place after carding a 1-under-par 71 for 8-under-par 280 tournament total. Chuan Tai-Lin of Chinese Taipei finished at fourth place on count back who carded 73, 70, 70, 71 for a 4-under-par 284 tournament total.
Victor Ng Yu Kai of Melaka who finished 1-over-par 289was Malaysian best finisherwho carded 70, 72, 76, 71.
YBhg. Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, the President of MGA had graciously attended the event and gave away the Challenge Trophy to the Champion.
Top 10 results
Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng (THA) 70, 65, 64, 73 – 272
Sadom Kaewkanja (THA) 69, 69, 69, 70 – 277
Kosuke Hamamoto (THA) 72, 72, 65, 71 – 280
Chuan Tai-Lin (TWN) 73, 70, 70, 71 – 284 (OCB)
Kshitij Naveed Kaul (IND) 68, 66, 75, 75 – 284
Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (THA) 68, 73, 71, 73 – 285
Aadil Bedi (IND) 73, 71, 73, 71 – 288
Victor Ng (MAS) 70, 72, 76, 71 – 289
Narajie Emerald Ramadhanputra (INA) 75, 73, 73, 69 – 290 (OCB)
Low Wee Jin (SIN) 70, 75, 73, 72 – 290
