Veteran Danny shows he can still swing it with the best

PETALING JAYA: Former national No. 1 golfer Danny Chia is already 48. But boy, he can still pack a mean swing as evidenced by his latest achievement in the Japan Challenge Tour.

Danny scored his best outing in the Land of the Rising Sun with a runner-up finish in the Golf Shaper Challenge in Chikushigaoka Golf Club yesterday.

A superb six-under 66 on the final day propelled Danny to a share of second spot with his total of seven-under 209.

It is the best finish on Japanese soil for Danny, who bounced back from 74 and 69 on the first two days.

Daichi Sato and Yuichi Ohta, who carded 67 and 69 in the final round respectively, also shared the second spot.

Ayumi Kawamitsu carded a 72 to win the tournament with a combined total of nine-under 207.

Danny is now just two years shy from getting into the senior’s tour but is pleased to show that he is still capable of raising the flag for Malaysia on the international stage.

“I had a good week, tying for second place in the Challenge Tour event. I would like to say thanks to my sponsors for making this possible,” said Danny, who represented Malaysia with Gavin Green at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Danny used to be the top Malaysian golfer before he was eventually overtaken in the golf rankings by the likes of Gavin, Ben Leong and Nicholas Fung.

Danny played his way into the history books in 2010 when he became the first Malaysian to make the cut in a Major in the British Open at St Andrews.

He also remains the only Malaysian player to have won twice on the Asian Tour, achieving the feat with his victories in the 2002 Acer Taiwan Open and 2015 Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

“I’m at the age where I need to be careful and not pick up any injuries.

“I always go to the gym as physical aspects are so important in modern golf.

“If I am able to maintain my condition, I will try to keep playing until 50 and join the senior’s tour,” added Danny.