Nguyen Anh Minh (left) and Sieun Lee with the champion trophies.
KOTA KINABALU (Dec 15): Nguyen Anh Minh and Sieun Lee were crowned champions in the 120th Malaysian Amateur Open (MAO) on Sunday.
Vietnam teenage sensation Nguyen fired a final round of one-under 71 for to secure the men’s division title with his overall score of one-under 287z Nguyen, 17, opened with a 72 on Thursday before playing 70 and 72 the subsequent rounds.
“This victory means so much to me. The course was challenging, but I stayed patient and focused.
“Winning the Malaysian Amateur Open is an incredible honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete against such talented players,” he told Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) online.
Nguyen started the final rounds in second place, trailing leader Kim Min Su by three shots.
Nguyen was unpertubed as he showed great composure in the last 18 holes to register two birdies to a single bogey and finished the day at one-under.
Min Su, who was leading going into the final hole, was unfortunate as the South Korean concluded with a double bogey to settle for four-over 76.
It was easily his less convincing score in the championship especially after he impressed with 71, 72 and 70 in the first three days.
Min Su settled for one-over 289 overall to take the runner-up spot.
Indonesian golfer Randy Arbenata Mohamad Bintang (73, 75, 74, 70) and Malaysia’s highest ranked finisher Aaron Yeo Boon Xiang (71, 75, 72, 72) finished third and fourth respectively with 292.
“It was an intense competition and I’m proud to be among the top players.
“The support from the local crowd was amazing, and it motivates me to keep improving,” said Anson
In the ladies’ division, Sieun carded a final round of one-over 73 to complete her comeback in the championship.
The South Korean had been playing second fiddle from the start, scoring 78, 75 and 72 to trail in third place going into the final round.
Sieun never looked back as she totalled 298 to edge teammate and Yang Hyojin who had to be contended in second place with 301.
“I’m overjoyed to win this prestigious tournament.
“The course demanded precision and resilience, and I’m proud of how I played.
“I thank my coaches and team for their unwavering support,” said Sieun.
Hyojin, who carded 73, 77 and 73, earlier had made the top placing hers but a final round score of six-over 78 denied her the title.
In third place was Prim Prachnakom with 304 (74, 79, 71, 80) followed by Wang Xin Yao of Malaysia in fourth with 305 (78, 76, 75, 76).
“Competing in this championship was a tremendous learning opportunity.
“I will use this experience to grow,” said Xin Yao who was thrilled to emerge as the best Malaysian finisher in the ladies division.
MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor presented the champion trophies to the winners.
Also present were Sabah Golf Association (SGA) president Nash Hon, Sabah’s state representative for MGA Valerian Hansen Petrus and SGCC president Andrew Yap.
Jointly organised by MGA and SGA, the iconic tournament made a return to the state after it was last held here in 2017.
Over 100 players from 18 countries were involved in the championship.
The post Nguyen, Sieun clinch Malaysian Amateur Open golf titles appeared first on Borneo Post Online.
