Golf: Fernando, Thidapa Claim 108th Malaysian Amateur Open Title

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Mhark Fernando of the Philippines and Thailand's Thidapa Suwannapura were the winners of the 108th Malaysian Amateur Open Golf Championship which concluded Sunday at the Damai Laut Golf & Country Club, Lumut, Perak.

In the men's category, although facing a strong challenge from national player, Mohd Iylia Mohd Jamil, Fernando held his nerve to card an even-par 72 in the final round to conclude the four-day competition on six-under-par 282.

"I didn't play so well today, but I did have a strong finish. I struggled with my iron at first as it was very windy. The 14th was the key to my win as I hit an awesome second shot and I knew I had it then," the 28-year-old Filipino was quoted as saying in the Malaysian Golf Association's official website.

In today's final round, Fernando carded three birdies, at the fifth, 14th and 15th but dropped three bogeys, at the eighth, 11th and 13th hole.

Mohd Iylia, 20, who started the day trailing with a single shot behind Fernando, overtook the leader by two strokes when he birdied the 140-metre, par-three 13th hole, which Fernando bogeyed.

However, it was all too brief as he dropped a double-bogey on the 14th hole to surrender the lead.

"My ball-striking was not too bad but my putting let me down. At the 14th hole, I hit my drive to the left and it ended in the thick grass. I tried to chip it out, but it went to a hazard and from there, a double-bogey was the best that I could do," said Mohd Iylia, who finished four-under-par 284.

Lying 10 strokes behind the leader were Jhonnel Ababa of the Philippines and Supakorn Utaipat of Thailand. The duo were joint third on four-over-par 292.

In the women's category, 17-year-old Thidapa claimed the title after accumulating a three-day total of one-over-par 217.

Thidapa sank four birdies at the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th holes and dropped two shots at the second and final hole for today's two-under-par 70.

"The 15th hole contributed to my win today as I was able to read the wind and strategised my shots and chalked up a birdie there. It sure feels so good to win, and I think I gave my very best today," she said.

Overnight leader, Yupaporn Kavinpakornwho ended the tournament in second place on three-over-par 219. She was left disappointed with a double-bogey at par-four 16th hole, after hitting into the water.

National player, Kelly Tan fired a one-under par 71, one of the two sub-par rounds on the final day to close her week on four-over-par 220 to finish third.

MEN'S FINAL ROUND SCORES: (Malaysians unless stated)

282 - Mhark Fernando (PHI) 67-71-72-72

284 - Mohd Iylia Jamil Mohd Jamil 70-68-73-73

292 - Jhonnel Ababa (PHI) 73-77-71-71, Supakorn Utaipat (THA) 73-70-75-74

293 - Gavin Kyle Green 69-73-75-76, Peter Villaber (PHI) 71-71-74-77

294 - Jobim Carlos (PHI) 78-71-73-72, Jesiie Balasabas (PHI) 74-72-71-77

296 - Atthachai Jaichalad (THA) 74-78-74-70

297 - Nay Bala Win Myint (MYN) 78-77-72-70

WOMEN'S FINAL ROUND SCORES: (Malaysians unless stated)

217 - Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) 79-68-70

219 - Yupaporn Kavinpakorn (THA) 72-72-75

220 - Kelly Tan Guet Chen 80-69-71

224 - Chihiro Ikeda (PHI) 75-74-75, Sharon Lau 73-71-80