Malaysian golfers have slim chance in Putra Cup challenge

PETALING JAYA: The Putra Cup has remained elusive for Malaysia since Ben Leong, Sukree Othman, S. Siva Chandran and Eugene Lim last won the nation’s seventh title in Myanmar in 2005.

And it’s not about to change when the prestigious event get underway at the Gading Raya Padang Golf & Club in Banten, Indonesia today.

The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) have sent a second-string side comprising Muhd Afif Razif (pic), Sazanur Iman Salenin, Mohd Shakiran Johari and Victor Ng Yu Kai to carry Malaysia’s challenge as the SEA Games quartet are unavailable.

Ervin Chang, Galven Kendall Green, Danial Durisic have all returned to the United States to resume their studies while Chan Tuck Soon will be sitting for his exams.

Afif is the most experienced as he was part of team that finished fourth in Singapore last year.

Afif, Sazanur and Shakiran played at last month’s World University Games and finished 12th in the team competition.

Defending champions Thailand and Singapore, who shocked the Thais to the team gold at the KL Games, are expected to dominate the contest with both sides retaining the same Games line-ups.

And things are no different in the Santi Cup (women’s division) as KL SEA Games’ bronze medallists Nur Durriyah Damian, Ashley Lau Jen Wen and Loy Hee Ying will not be playing.

Durriyah is taking a break before turning professional while Ashley and Hee Ying have gone back to Australia and US for their new semesters.

The trio are replaced by Liyana Durisic, G. Vinisha and Audrey Tan Wei Yen.

The Kartini Cup (girls’ under-16) presents Malaysia’s best hopes for a least one title from Indonesia.

Malaysia can count on the formidable pair of Winnie Ng Yu Xuan and Natasha Andrea Oon – who had four senior Open titles between them this year to spring a surprise on favourites Thailand.

Natasha and Winnie played in the last two editions, finishing fourth in 2015 and runners-up last year.

Completing the three-girl roster is Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser.

In the Lion City Cup (boys’ under17), Malaysia are represented by Lim Beng Keat, Adam Arif Madzri and K. Rhaasrikanesh.

THE SQUADS

Putra Cup: Muhd Afif Razif, Sazanur Iman Salenin, Mohd Shakiran Johari and Victor Ng Yu Kai. Santi Cup: Liyana Durisic, G. Vinisha and Audrey Tan Wei Yen.

Lion City Cup: Lim Beng Keat, Adam Arif Madzri and K. Rhaasrikanesh.

Kartini Cup: Winnie Ng Yu Xuan, Natasha Andrea Oon and Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser.