• The 70th Singapore Open Amateur Championship

Gregory Foo underlines status as one of the world’s elite amateur golfers with win

Performing with an authority and maturity befitting a player listed within the top-80 in the R&A’S World Amateur Golf Ranking, Foo simply proved too strong for his rivals in an event that was reduced to 54 holes due to torrential rain.

“It’s a very special feeling to win this again,” said Foo, who is the first Singapore-born player to win the national title on two occasions, his first in 2015. Rounds of 69, 66 and 69 enabled Foo to complete three days at the Singapore Island Country Club’s (SICC) New Course with a seemingly insurmountable sixstroke advantage.

Following a 35-minute rain delay before teeing-off in Friday’s final round, Foo moved to two-under through nine holes and was in total command when the heavens opened shortly before midday.

With no let-up over the next two hours and surface water settling around the course, officials called off the fourth round at 1.55 pm and declared the tournament a 54-hole contest.

“It’s not the way I wanted to win it, but it’s still a tremendous thrill,” said Foo, who posted a three-day aggregate of 12-under 204. Malaysian Ervin Chang claimed second spot on 210 followed by the Thai duo of Kosuke Hamamoto (211) and last year’s champion Kammalas Namuangruk (213).

Foo, who will turn 24 in November, can now look forward to an exciting end to the year, during which he will spearhead Singapore’s bid for glory at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Southeast Asian Amateur Team Championship for the Putra Cup and the Asia Pacific Amateur Team Championship for the Nomura Cup.