Youngster Galven sets sights on two local crowns

PETALING JAYA: Golfer Galven Kendall Green (pic) has a double mission.

The 17-year-old aims to win the Malaysian Amateur Open, starting in Sabah on Thursday, and the May 23-25 MPI Saujana Amateur Championship before leaving for his studies in the United States.

He will follow in the footsteps of his elder brother Gavin, the national No. 1 professional, by studying and playing collegiate golf at the University of New Mexico.

Gavin also competed in the country’s two biggest amateur tournaments before leaving for the US in 2012. He left with a big impression by winning both the titles.

“My goal is definitely to win both the crowns. Having an older sibling who achieved so much is so amazing. I don’t really have to look elsewhere for inspiration. He set the benchmark. Now, I must try to beat his records,” said Galven.

Galven has already emulated Gavin by winning the National Amateur Closed three times and twice in the now-defunct Tan Sri Muhyiddin Golf Challenge, which used to be country’s marquee junior event.

But Galven is aware that it’s tougher to win the Malaysian Amateur Open and Saujana Amateur Championship.

He failed to impress, not even finishing in the top 10 in his last three appearances in both the championships.

“These two tournaments attract a strong field. I have to stay patient and play my best in every round. I would dearly love to win the Malaysian Amateur Open. In the last 20 years, only Gavin and R. Nachimuthu (in 1997) managed to win the title for Malaysia.”

Galven, however, will not be short of confidence heading into the two events.

In March, he triumphed in both the Selangor and Negri Sembilan Amateur Opens. He also finished a commendable joint 12th at the Asian Development Tour’s PGM UMW Championship.