Double of course
Another gold for men, ladies settle for silver
AS the final putt sank in, the
high fives and loud roars said it all for the Malaysian men’s golf trio of Ervin Chang, Marcus Lim and K. Rhaasrikanesh.
The trio produced Malaysia’s best ever achievement in SEA Games golf history, dethroning mighty Thailand to win the team gold with a 2-1 win in the match-play final at Heron Lake Golf Course yesterday.
Ervin, who was on the hunt for a double after winning Malaysia’s first ever men’s individual title, was in sizzling form again over the back nine to defeat Weerawish Narkprachar 2 and 1.
His teammates did not let him down in the hunt.
Ratchanon Chantananuwat sparked a fightback after beating Marcus 1-0 with a late charge but Rhaasrikanesh, the last man on the course, turned saviour for Malaysia.
The 21-year-old made a heroic attempt to deny Pongsapak Laopakdee victory on the final hole to give Malaysia only their third-ever team victory in the Games. And the teammates let their emotions show after the victory.
It was Malaysia’s best ever performance and Ervin double-gold feat was icing on the cake.
A. Nateeshvar was the fourth member of the team but did not play yesterday.
Malaysia have only been successful twice in the team event – in 1989 (P. Gunasegaran, Johari Sulaiman, Saad Yusuf and Wong Hung Nung) and then in 2001 (Airil Rizman Zahari, S. Sivachandhran, Shaaban Hussin and Sahal Saedin).
“Personally, it was actually a tough week for me in the individual event but Ervin secured the gold for Malaysia, so I am happy for him,” Rhaasrikanesh
“For the team event, I wanted to give everything so all of us could have gold. I am so grateful to be able to savour this historic moment,” he said.
Rhaasrikanesh said he was a bit nervous as he walked up to the 18th hole trailing his opponent but he knew he needed to do something special.
“My heart was beating very fast. The Thai was very aggressive in the last hole but I told myself I could not continue to be defensive.
“I just went for it and thankfully (the chip) went in.
“We will go to the city tonight, have a nice meal and do some shopping,” said a gleeful Rhaasrikanesh.
Mirabel Ting and Jeneath Wong also played well in the women’s team final but had to concede defeat to the more experienced Thai players 0.5-1.5.
Australia-based Jeneath had taken bronze in the individual event on Sunday in her debut.
This is golf’s best ever outing in the Games, having won two golds, a silver and a bronze.