Zamri Sariff made a solid start to his bid to qualify for the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour when he led after the first round of the first leg of the Qualifying School at Kinrara Golf Club in Puchong today.
In a revamped structure that has spawned the PGM Development Tour, players now get the chance to tussle for more money on the feeder circuit – this week RM25,000 – and earn full playing rights on the PGM Tour proper, should they succeed.
Forty-year old Zamri said he was now focusing on trying to qualify for the main Tour, with a view to establishing himself there.
“I have played the PGM Tour before but did not finish in the top-50 that guarantees you a playing card. So now I have to focus on Qualifying School,” he pointed out, after shooting an opening one-under 71 at Kinrara.
Speaking of his round, he said he was pleased with his driving and added that he putted “very well”.
However, he lamented the soggy conditions of the course, saying that he might have done even better than his five birdies and four bogeys.
Zamri’s effort gave him a one-shot lead over a two-way tie for second. Hamzimie Hamzah had four birdies himself to stay in touch with the leader. As did C.M. Chong, who also teaches golf and has dabbled on the main Tour before.
A stroke further back were two amateur players – Ahmad Zahir Abd Ghani and M. Wafiyuddin Abd Manaf, who matched Sharul Harisa’s even-par round of 72 for a tie for fourth place.
Khor Kheng Howe and amateur Mohd Afif Razif were joint seventh on two-over-par 73.
The first leg of the PGM Development Tour carries RM25,000 in prize money and is played over three days.
Leading First Round Scores
70 -1 Zamri Sariff
71 E Hamzimie Hamzah, C. M. Chong
72 +1 Ahmad Zahir Abd Ghani (A), M. Wafiyuddin Abd Manaf (A), Sharul Harisa
73 +2 Khor Kheng Howe, Mohd Afif Razif (A)
74 +3 DanialDurisic (A),M. Ridhwan Johari (A)
