Nicholas Fung duly wrapped up the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour’s Nilai Springs Closed Championship today in Negeri Sembilan with a wire-to-wire victory that he richly deserved.
The 24-year-old, who is a two-time PGM Tour Player of the Year, carded a final round one-under 71 for an 11-under-par 277 total. That gallant effort gave him a six-shot victory over Kemarol Baharin, who closed with a 68 and a five-under 283 total. Fung also picked up a cheque worth RM30,600 at Nilai Springs Golf & Country Club.
In third place was Shaaban Hussin. Second at the start of the fourth and final day, Shaaban stumbled to a two-over 74 and settled for a three-under 285.
Fourth place went to Kim Leun Kwang. He signed for a last day 71 and finished on three-under 285.
Hans Jamil rounded off the top-five after a second successive 70 left him another stroke back on two-under 286.
Happy with his win, Fung attributed his fine form to a Chinese New Year break with family and friends in his hometown in Kota Kinabalu.
“I definitely felt good this whole week,” said the player who started the RM180,000 tournament with a 68 before setting a new course record at Nilai Springs with a second round 65.
“I hit the ball well and putted well too. I had a little difficulty yesterday with my putting but it came together again today, so I am very happy with how it all turned out.”
Reference to the third round was a one-over 73 that did not do much damage as he still led by four strokes coming into the last day.
The PGM Tour’s next stop is the RM180,000 Kelantan Closed Championship at Kelantan Golf & Country Club from March 4-7.
Leading Fourth Round Scores
277 Nicholas Fung 68-65-73-71
283 Kemarol Baharin 71-72-72-68
284 Shaaban Hussin 70-70-70-74
285 Kim Leun Kwang 71-70-73-71
286 Hans Jamil 73-73-70-70
287 Low Khai Jei (A) 73-73-73-68, M. Azman Basharudin 73-71-72-71
289 Ben Leong 73-70-73-73, S. Siva Chandhran 76-69-71-73
290 P. Gunasagaran 73-72-73-72, Airil Rizman 72-70-74-74, Rizal Amin 75-71-69-75
292 Wilson Choo 75-72-74-71, Lion Goh 73-73-76-70
293 Solomon Emili 70-74-75-74, Akhmal Tarmizee 73-74-71-75, R. Nachimuthu 74-72-78-69
