Cueist Keen Hoo lifts title in New South Wales

PETALING JAYA: Former SEA Games gold medallist Moh Keen Hoo was on fire to beat local challenger Kurt Dunham to lift the Australian Snooker Open championship title in New South Wales on Monday.

Keen Hoo gave Dunham, a 20162017 World Snooker Tour Professional player, no quarter as he won the final 6-1 to take home the champion’s trophy and A$5,000 (RM14,728) for his efforts.

Keen Hoo sent Ranjith Murthy packing 4-0 in the first round and meant business by beating Dale Kennedy 4-0 to reach the last 32.

The 31-year-old then overcame Marc Bullen 4-1 and grew stronger in confidence after disposing of former professional and 2002 world amateur champion Steve Mifsud 4-2 in the last 16. Keen Hoo was calm and calculated as he beat Alan McCarthy 5-2 in the quarter-finals.

The 2016 Australian national champion James Mifsud was next and Keen Hoo played some exceptional snooker to win the semi-final clash 5-1, giving his opponent a torrid time with breaks of 86, 129, 131 and 44. Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation president Melvin Chia was pleased with Keen Hoo’s victory.

“Our national cueists have the talent and the ability to compete with the world’s best if given the opportunity. We hope that the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Youth and Sports Ministry can give us more support in our quest to bring glory to Malaysian sports through snooker,” he said.