Runner-up finish shows Ervin’s ready for the Games

PETALING JAYA: National golfer Ervin Chang’s runner-up finish at the Singapore Amateur Open is proof that he has what it takes to vie for individual honours at next month’s KL SEA Games.

The 19-year-old US-based golfer carded rounds of 71-70-69 to finish with a three-day total of six-under 210 at the Singapore Island Country Club yesterday for his career-best result.

Singaporean Gregory Foo emerged triumphant with a 204 total to reclaim the crown he won in 2015. He was declared champion after yesterday’s fourth and final round was cancelled due to rain.

Ervin was delighted to have improved on last year’s fifth placing.

“Although I didn’t win, I’m quite pleased with my overall performance. I got what I aimed for this week – a strong display and a good finish,” said Ervin, who was fifth in his last two outings – MPI Saujana Amateur Championship in May and Taiwan Amateur Championship in June.

“The result has boosted my confidence. It will help to keep me on the right track for SEA Games.”

Ervin can be happy to have done better than the two Thai golfers who are expected to contend for medals at the SEA Games – Japaneseborn Kosuke Hamamoto and Kammalas Namuangruk.

Kosuke came in third with a 211 total while defending champion Kammalas finished a further two strokes back in fourth spot.

Danial Durisic was the second best-performing national player in the 106-man field, compiling a oneover 217 to finish sixth.

The other two SEA Games-bound national team members – Chan Tuck Soon and Galven Kendall Green – were tied for 35th and 41st.