LEUN KWANG EARNS CIMB CLASSIC TICKET IN DRAMATIC STYLE
Leun Kwang survives roller-coaster final to earn CIMB Classic spot
KUALA LUMPUR: Golfer Kim Leun Kwang is finally a tournament winner after years of trying.
The 23-year-old survived a roller-coaster final round at the TPC Kuala Lumpur yesterday to win the CIMB National Championship that rewards him with a ticket to the CIMB Classic, to be held at the same venue from Oct 11-14.
The victory also gave Leun Kwang his career’s biggest paycheque of RM30,000 and he is guaranteed of earning at least US$12,880 (RM53,000) for making the 78-man no-cut US PGA Tour event next month.
But those honours and cash prizes almost slipped from his grasp when Leun Kwang frittered away a three-shot lead with seven holes remaining at one stage in an epic duel with Amir Nazrin Jailani.
A relentless Amir fired a sizzling four-under 67 – his third of the week – to force a playoff after finishing on matching 12-under 272 total with Leun Kwang, who settled for 70, at the end of regulation play.
But it was Leun Kwang who had the last laugh when he defeated Amir at the first hole (replay on parfour 18th) of a sudden death playoff.
“It (the win) means a lot to me ... I’ve been looking for my first win for a very long time,” he said.
“I knew it was going to come some day and I finally did it. I’m just so happy because it has been a struggle over the years and today as well! It was really a crazy day.
“Perhaps I was on the lucky side. Amir played so, so well and gave me a good fight. A big credit to him.
“Having my first win and getting my reward to play in the CIMB Classic is amazing.”
Leun Kwang is now looking forward to joining his childhood buddy Gavin Kyle Green in the US$7mil (RM28.96mil) showpiece in two weeks time.
Gavin is set to be alloted the second local player slot by virtue of being the highest ranked Malaysian on the Official World Golf Ranking on Oct 1.
“When I was younger, I did dream about playing in a PGA Tour event. This feels amazing. I just want to learn from the PGA Tour players.
“When Gavin played here a few times, I’d come out to watch him as he’s my best friend. It’s going to be different this time – I’ll be the one holding the club and I’m going to enjoy it for sure.”
As for Amir, it was again so close yet so far.
The 21-year-old had the chance to drag Leun Kwang into a second playoff but he agonisingly missed the bogey putt from 15 feet.
“It’s about luck once you get into a playoff,” said a dejected Amir, who finished third last year.
“I made a silly mistake on the green ... can’t say anything about that now. It didn’t quite work out for me and I have to accept it.
As runner-up, Amir still walked away RM19,240 richer.