Gavin and Ben’s World Cup adventure ends on a low note
PETALING JAYA: Gavin Kyle Green and Ben Leong concluded their World Cup of Golf debut on a disappointing note.
The Malaysian duo could only close with a two-over 74 – their worst score of the week – in the foursomes for a six-under 282 at the Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne yesterday.
Gavin and Ben ended up joint 22nd in the 28-nation event, dropping seven rungs from their overnight position and a whopping 17 shots behind winners Thomas Pieters-Thomas Detry of Belgium.
They will be disappointed with how things panned out for them considering how well they started in the first two rounds.
On Thursday, Gavin and Ben opened with a blistering 63 to be tied second before scrambling for a 73 on a tricky second day to sit joint third at the halfway stage – just two shots off the pace.
Any hopes of contending for the title faded when they failed to take advantage of the benign scoring conditions in the third round. They posted a 72 to slide down to tied 15th.
Finishing 22nd meant Gavin and Ben could only match compatriots Danny Chia and Nicholas Fung’s previous outing in 2016, also in Melbourne.
Gavin admitted they could have done better.
“Wish we could have played a little better ... (we committed too) many mistakes,” said Gavin.
“I just missed so many putts. We had good reads, just didn’t go in. But it is what it is.”
Ben chipped in: “Our fair share of goods and bads. That’s golf.”
Trying to look at positives, Gavin added: “But it was fun overall. It was fun to hang out with Ben and we had a good time.
“We have a good relationship. It was fun. Hopefully we get to do it again in two years’ time.”
Gavin and Ben still shared a cool US$58,000 (RM243,500) pay cheque for their efforts.
Gavin will now turn his attention to his second European Tour season, where he will compete in the Australian PGA Championship, starting on Thursday in Queensland.
As for Ben, he will be heading to Bangkok for the Asian Tour’s Queen’s Cup II, also starting on Thursday.
Ben will be joined by veteran Danny, who finished joint 36th at the Hong Kong Open yesterday.