Alexander, Tham SGCC Amateur Open champions
KOTA KINABALU: Alexander Lau and Tham Soot Yuet were crowned champions at the Primaland 31st SGCC Amateur Open Championship yesterday.
It was the second title for both in the championship with Alexander successfully retaining the men’s title while Tham won her first SGCC ladies’ crown in 2015.
Alexander’s title run did not come easy as he faced a spirited challenge from the 2017 champion Christopher Daniel James.
They were tied at 154 going into Sunday’s final round at the Sabah Golf and Country Club (SGCC).
Title holder Alexander, who carded 75 and 79 in the opening two rounds, proved his prowess by carding a two-over 74 yesterday for his total gross score of 228 to cement victory.
In his victory speech, Alexander paid tribute to his rivals for a tough title defence.
“I’m happy for the win, which, of course, was easy...the competition was very tough,” he said while thanking all including his parents for the successful title defence.
Christopher had to settle for second place with 230, having played four-over 76 to add to his previous scores of consecutive 77s.
Sarawak top amateur Lee Ka Tung, the 2010 winner, finished third with 234 (78, 80, 76).
In the ladies category, Tham was the deserving winner having led the competition from start to finish.
Tham opened with 76 on Friday before firing an 81 the following day to go into the final round three-shot ahead of her nearest rivals, Park Sun Ho, and former winner, Jacqueline Lau.
Tham could still afford to score 83 in the final round to go on to lift the SGCC ladies title with the total of 240.
Nurul Syahirah Afiqah’s final day’s score of 77 propelled her to second placing with 244 (81, 86, 77) followed by Park also with 244 (78, 82, 84) but losing on countback and Jacqueline with 246 (83, 77, 86).
Guest-of-honour, Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Frankie Poon, presented the prizes to the winners.
In his speech, Poon praised the efforts of the club in maintaining one of the best golf courses in the region and having the most top junior golfers representing the state.
Among those present were SGCC president, Shiak Vui Ming, Sabah Golf Association vice president, Mohammad Kulat, sponsor Primaland CEO Nash Hon, tournament director, Ian Yong, various golf clubs presidents and SGCC committee members.