Kim surprises himself with first ADT title

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Kim receives his prizes from Sarji (third right) while (from right) Chuo, Mohd Din, Johar, Nik Mustapha and tournament directors Fritz Katzengruber and Loong Poh Hin look on.

KUCHING: Malaysia’s Kim Leun Kwang claimed his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the haze-affected PGM MNRB ADT Sarawak Championship at Kelab Golf Sarawak, Petra Jaya yesterday.

The 24-year old professional from Petaling Jaya, Selangor carded a two-day total score of seven-under 137 to beat first day leader Daeng Abdul Rahman and Samuel Cyr of the USA by one stroke.

This unexpected victory earned Kim RM39,375, a winner’s trophy and six valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

He admitted he did not rate his chance to win highly as he thought that the winner will have to score nine-under.

Kim birdied Hole 18 after having consecutive bogeys at Hole 16 and Hole 17.

“I have never even thought of winning this week because we don’t even know whether we are going to play or not due to the haze and the delays.

“But I know that I have been playing well recently and in the last few months. I came and just did what I did and thankfully this week is just good enough,” said Kim who had played in more than 10 tournaments this year including the PGM MNRB ADT Sabah Championship last week.

“I will be flying to Indonesia tomorrow morning to compete in an ADT event there,” he said.

Kim, who turned pro seven years ago, said the PGM MNRB ADT tournaments are good because it is a stepping stone for Malaysians to play at a higher level.

“It’s good practice for us too because if you want to win overseas, you need to win here first,” said Kim who won the CIMB Classic last year.

Two other Malaysians featured in the top 10 with M Sasidaran in fifth place with a four-under 140 and Low Khai Jei in seventh spot with a three-under 141.

Eighty-three players started the tournament and 50 made the cut for the final round.

Only two rounds were played due to the unhealthy haze level. The total purse was RM225,000.

Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid gave away the prizes.

Also present were Malaysian National Reinsurance Berhad (MNRB) Group president and CEO Mohd Din Merican, MNRB Group chairman Datuk Johar Che Mat, PGM general manager Nik Mustapha Nik Mohamed and KGS captain Henry Chuo Kuong Hang.