Charlayne and Jia Hao champions of SGCC golf championship
KOTA KINABALU: Charlayne Chong Shin Ling justified her top billing when she emerged as the Ladies’ champion in the 34th SGCC Amateur Open Championship here yesterday.
Poon Jia Hao of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) lifted the Men’s title but the day was extra special for Charlayne who triumphed at her home course Sabah Golf and Country Club (SGCC). And Charlayne did it in style too as she led the field from Friday’s opening round en-route to clinching the title, beating defending champion Nabilah Alifuddin along the way.
National golfer Charlayne opened with a 74 before following it up with 79 and 78 for a threeday total gross score of 231.
Nabilah of Kelab Golf Kudat (KGK) settled for the runner-up spot with 250 (86, 81, 83) while Tawau’s Putri Haryati Najwa Harezam of SSGC finished third with 262 (88, 86, 88).
In the Men’s competition, Jia Hao kicked off his title-winning run with a 72 before posting 79 and 78 for his total score of 229.
While he had the lead from day one, the victory did come easy for Jia Hao as his rivals kept the pressure right to the final day of competition.
Akhbar Said was just one shot behind after two days of competition with 152 (75, 77) but a final round 79 forced the KGK golfer to settle for second place with 231.
Zia Iqmal Abdul Said of the National Golf Academy, Universiti Utara Malaysia (AGN UUM) tried his best with a late charge on the title and despite closing with 74, he had to be contended in third place.
Iqmal totaled 232 having played 80 and 74 in the opening two days of competition.
Around 160 golfers – 130 men and 24 women – registered for the championship, which was making a return after after a two-year hiatus. The participating golfers were from Sabah, Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.
President of SGCC, Andrew Yap Kim Phin, presented the prizes to the winners.