The ClubHouse Issue 17 (Dec 2012) by The ClubHouse

WISHING ALL OUR FELLOW GOLFERS A PROSPEROUS 2013

ISSUE 17 (12/2012) PP17714/04/2013(032168)

YEAR IN REVIEW

A LOOK BACK AT 2012 Having brain-stormed with my colleague B.N. Murali after negotiating endless hours of car rides, flight miles and even the odd train journey during a very busy 2012 for us here at The ClubHouse, these are some of the more memorable highlights and notes from our travails. BEST TOURNAMENT EXPERIENCE: As we were not reporting live from the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore, it gave us a great chance to explore a professional event from a spectator’s point-of-view as we joined close to 30,000 others at the spectator-friendly Tanah Merah Country Club. And the event dubbed the Asian ladies Major proved to be one of the best-organised event in the region, with a great interactive village for the whole family as well as great hospitality to boot. Not to mention, a nail-biting four-way playoff in fading light to settle the proceedings. MOST WELL-ATTENDED TOURNAMENT: Tiger Woods was in town and like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, he single-handedly had thousands lining up at the CIMB Classic to catch a glimpse of him in person. The 14-time Major winner remains golf’s most prized attraction and it was clear that despite the rise of many pretenders, Tiger-mania is well and alive! The Thailand Golf Championship comes a close second, with beelines of ardent fans cheering on their favourite stars, especially brigades of Bubba Watson and Ryo Ishikawa supporters. MOST EXCITING TOURNAMENT: Other than the playoffs at the HSBC Women’s Champions and the Barclays Singapore Open (our neighbours down South sure love their playoffs), my favourite comeback of the year came at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Kelantan Classic when Sukree Othman overturned local boy and crowd darling Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain’s six-shot overnight lead into a two-stroke gain for the title in an exciting duel. It proved to be a quite an afternoon at Pengkalan Chepa. BEST INTERVIEW: Fielding questions to Messr Woods and then a week later, to two of golf’s top administrators in Peter Dawson of the R&A and Augusta National chaiman Billy Payne will rank as career highlights but my two-hour conversation with legendary teaching professional Joe Thiel (which appeared in Issue 10) was quite literally, an instruction in life. BEST LUNCH ON TOUR: Another gong to the wonderful HSBC Women’s Champions for their thoughtful hospitality for the gathered media pack. Themed lunches each day and perhaps, some of the best Nestum prawns (at the risk of sounding like a glutton) I have ever had. And not to mention, endless cups of signature Haato gelatos inside the media centre! The Iskandar Johor Open also gets a big thumbs-up for their great traditional spread daily including delicacies such as satay and Laksa Johor! NOTEWORTHY MENTIONS: Witnessing Kenneth De Silva, Wilson Choo and Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari earning their emotionally-charged maiden professional victories on tour this year. Those are moments that can never be replayed, but will remain etched in my memory.

2 Edward Saminathan Chief Golf Writer news@theclubhouse.com.my

THE TEAM Chief Golf Writer Edward Saminathan Sub-Editors Lina Abdul Wahab, Khalidah Jamil, Evelyn Gan Contributors Andrew Myles, Bradford Walterhouse, Jason Winter, Justine Moss, Mark Bates, Martin Vousden, Normas Yakin, Richard Fellner, Scott Kramer Photography Eddie Putera, T. Ravi Chitty Brand Manager B.N. Murali Art & Design Siva Yoham Jalaguvalan Operations Associate Suzila Afirah Abdul Rauf Advertising: info@theclubhouse.com.my Editorial: news@theclubhouse.com.my Subscription: subscription@theclubhouse.com.my Website: www.theclubhouse.com.my

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Wisut Artjanawat

Nicholas Fung

Mardan Mamat

Danny Chia

7 Choo Tze Huang

FUNG BANKS ON HOME COMFORTS

Just a fortnight after being crowned the domestic number one, Nicholas Fung is raring to claim regional honours with a victory in his native Sabah Masters

f current form books hold true at Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club this January 9 to 12, East Malaysian golf fans will be in for a spectacular show of exciting golf as local favourite Nicholas Fung heads a stellar cast of young guns and experienced hands at the Sabah Masters. The tournament - which dates back to 1982 was revived last year with the strong backing of Sabah Tourism Board (STB) after a 13-year absence and will be featured prominently as the season-finale of the 2012 ASEAN PGA Tour. A richer prize chest of US$75,000 will only raise the stakes further for the cast which includes the likes of defending champion Wisut Artjanawat, Choo Tze Huang of Singapore as well as notable regional winners in Mardan Mamat and Danny Chia.

One player who will not be far away from the spotlight is Sabah’s very own Nicholas, who finished 2012 as the domestic Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour Order of Merit winner.

Refreshed after a short fortnight away from the golf course, Nicholas is hoping that home support will buoy him towards a third ASEAN PGA title.

The 21-year-old hopes to make amends for his performance last year, when he finished a stroke short of winner Wisut, and in the process achieve a rare double by topping the ASEAN PGA money list.

“I know the course pretty well, and I can also depend on the local support. The objective would be to stay ahead of my challengers and eliminate uncharacteristic mistakes like what I made in the final round last year, which cost me the title,” he noted.

“Last year, I was not able to find my winning form on the ASEAN PGA, settling for runnerup finishes in all the three tournaments that I had participated in. Even then, I finished a close second to Wisut in the Order of Merit race.” “I played really well in 2012 and put myself in contention most of the weeks. I came close time and time again that I began to doubt if I was going to win. But I persevered and three wins in four starts towards the tail-end of the year definitely got me going. I’m very proud to have topped the local tour, ahead of my more experienced peers,” added Nicholas, who currently tops the Order of Merit with US$29,933, after winning the Palembang MUSI Championship.

Tournament title sponsor Sabah Tourism Board has long believed in backing the state’s golfing professionals and Nicholas, who has benefited from their support, lauded the state tourism arm’s support. “Sabah Tourism Board has played a major role in my growth as a professional as well as the success I have achieved to date. I am proud to wear their badge on my shirt as their backing has opened the doors for me to travel extensively around the region, just like my predecessors Iain Steel and Ben Leong. I believe winning the Sabah Masters will be a great tribute to Sabah Tourism Board’s efforts in developing the local golf scene.”

Logo : Professional Golf Of Malaysia

PATIENCE PAYS DIVIDEND FOR FUNG Font : Trajan Pro for Professional Golf Of Malaysia : Times New Roman for estd. 2010 Colour : 4 Gradient colours (CMYK) Type: Radial

Colour code :

C : 0, M : 0, Y : 25, K : 0

C : 1, M : 22, Y : 100, K : 10

C : 00, M : 10, Y : 52, K : 10

C : 20, M : 40, Y : 96, K : 10

burst of late season results saw Nicholas Fung crowned as the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Order of Merit winner – the latest in a growing list of achievements for the 21-year-old Sabahan sensation.

Nicholas confirmed his status as the burgeoning domestic circuit’s numero uno with a tied sixth finish alongside reigning champion R. Nachimuthu at the season-ending PGM-Maybank Tour Players’ Championship at Impian Golf & Country Club. Despite only starting 14 of the 20 PGM tournaments this year, the Kota Kinabalu native topped the standings with a haul of RM159,635 on the back of two victories and five runner-up finishes to steer RM14,036 clear of runner-up Sukree Othman. The latter could have thrown a spanner into Nicholas’ celebrations with a win at the RM300,000 tour championship but only managed a share for second to finish ahead of Nachimuthu, who took third place on RM141,036. “Yes, I am very happy to have finished the year as the Order of Merit champion and it is a new high in my young career,” said Nicholas, who turned professional in 2010. “I definitely feel that I’ve taken my game a notch higher this year and it has enabled me to finish ahead of my more experienced competitors.”

Nicholas endured a lean spell for much of the year, playing second fiddle time and time again before he broke through with a playoff victory over Iylia Jamil at the Negeri Sembilan Classic in October. He followed that swiftly by lifting the Palembang MUSI Championship on the ASEAN PGA Tour but had to settle for second again at the Eastwood Valley Masters to Filipino Jay Bayron, who he had lost out to earlier at the Bii Maybank ADT Challenge in July. But it proved only a temporary setback as he clinched the penultimate event at the UMW Glenmarie Classic to lead the Order of Merit coming into the final tournament of the year. “I had to be patient as I was in contention at almost every one of my tournaments this year. I was playing some very good golf and managed my game as well as my emotions very well but my putter tended to go out of sync especially during the latter stages of tournaments. “It was something I worked hard upon with my coach Toshiyuki Wasa and the win at Seremban proved very much the turning point of my season,” he added. PGM TOUR 2012 - ORDER OF MERIT LIST 1 Nicholas Fung Chee Yung 2 Mohd Sukree Othman Rashid 3 Nachimuthu Ramasamy 4 Md Rashid Ismail 5 Airil Rizman Zahari 6 S. Murthy 7 Akhmal Tarmizee Mohd Nazari 8 S. Sivachandhran 9 Shaifubari Muda 10 Kenneth Christian-John De Silva

RM159,635.00 RM145,598.35 RM141,036.83 RM125,225.19 RM120,595.45 RM103,700.33 RM103,067.41 RM87,657.22 RM59,462.11 RM57,342.53

ÂŠ eddieputera

PGM HARVARD CLASSIC SHAIFUBARI MUDA

PGM PERLIS CLASSIC AIRIL RIZMAN

PGM KELANTAN CLASSIC SUKREE OTHMAN

PGM CCM IMPIAN MASTERS MARDAN MAMAT

PGM CLEARWATER CLASSIC R.NACHIMUTHU

PARADIGM SHIFT

As the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour tees off its third consecutive season, Edward Saminathan believes the time is right for the burgeoning domestic circuit to forge a stronger brand identity for itself

down as his most significant contribution to the national golf arena. Until today, his tireless appearances at almost every leg of the tour continues to astound me.

got former Asian Tour winner Airil Rizman Zahari swinging sweetly again while Sukree Othman was on fire himself with a trio of titles to his name.

With his able stewardship and powerful networking, Ahmad Sarji has managed to secure strong support from the government as well as sovereign fund and government-linked companies. The number of Tour sponsors has substantially increased with the total prize fund equally rising to a record RM4.1 million in 2013, an increase from RM3.1 million in 2012 and RM 2.7 million offered in its maiden season.

2011 Order of Merit winner R. Nachimuthu added a brace to his growing collection of PGM titles as did young Nicholas Fung, who reinforced his growing stature by claiming the Money List win. Seasoned campaigners S. Murthy and Shaifubari picked up a title apiece with Danny Chia, Shaaban Hussin, Md Rashid Ismail and S. Sivachandhran among the notable non-winners on Tour this year.*

There is no doubt that the PGM Tour is here to stay - at least for the near future that is. Few would have envisaged the fact that the burgeoning domestic circuit would make it through its second year - believe me, I have heard enough naysayers declaring prophecies to the contrary since the inaugural edition teed off at Impian Golf & Country Club in December 2010.

But it goes without saying that the heavy reliance on this goodwill by the government of the day and GLCs leaves the tour in a precarious spot, and it is vital for the long-term good of the tour that more private enterprises, especially the big golf players, are enticed to become part of what is essentially a very good set-up.

It is however noteworthy that at one glance, the tour’s score average has improved even if we are still some way from having actual statistics to reflect upon.

In this regard, I have to salute PGM chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid for putting the tour’s sustainability on a more concrete footing in this reincarnation.

While the younger professionals showed massive signs of finding their footing on the paid ranks and threatened to usurp their much older compatriots, the experienced hands continue to dominate the tour proceedings with their better temperament and know-how.

rom watching an emotional Shaifubari Muda end a seven-year title drought at the opening leg of the 2012 Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour at the rubber tree-lined Harvard Golf & Country Club, to witnessing former national Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari punch the air in delight after earning his maiden professional victory at the season-ending PGM-Maybank Tour Players’ Championship in late December, I can vouch for the fact that it has been an exhilarating year on the local tour. Here, I present my thoughts and commentary on the happenings on Tour in 2012:

BIGGER AND STRONGER

The learned septuagenarian is a veteran, with his involvement in the local professional scene dating back to the early 90s with the smaller PNB circuits but the PGM Tour will perhaps go PGM PNB LANJUT CLASSIC AIRIL RIZMAN

PGM TERENGGANU MASTERS RYAN BULLOCH

EXPERIENCE STILL A TRUMP CARD

Three victories including a major moraleboosting victory at his hometown Perlis Classic

MAIDEN WINNERS MAKE THEIR MARK

Former national Kenneth De Silva joined Iylia Jamil (2011) as the only rookie to triumph in his first PGM season after a spectacular performance at the Sarawak Masters while Akhmal claimed a big payday by clinching his first professional win after a four-year wait at Impian Golf & Country Club. Wilson Choo came close on many occasions but finally grabbed the chance that came his way outside the tour at the hastily organised PGAM Clearwater Classic.

PGM NORTHPORT TEMPLER PARK CLASSIC AIRIL RIZMAN

PGM MNRB PENANG CLASSIC S.MURTHY

PGM SARAWAK MASTERS KENNETH DE SILVA

PGM I&P KINRARA CLASSIC SUKREE OTHMAN

PGM SABAH CLASSIC R. NACHIMUTHU

PGM ADT A’FAMOSA MASTERS PETER RICHARDSON

PGM JOHOR MASTERS LUKE BLEUMINK

A CLOSE WATCH ON DISCIPLINE

Sanctions were raised for misconducts with some players on the receiving end of fines as the tour began a crackdown on ill discipline. While some incidents went unscrutinised and others were alleged to have been “swept under the carpet”, it is worth mentioning that the tour’s move is a right step forward in ensuring that the spirit of fair play, mutual respect and good conduct is upheld at all times.

THE EXTRA DRIVE

As the tour continues to co-sanction a growing number of events with the Asian Development Tour (ADT) as well as the ASEAN PGA Tour, it is worth pointing out six of the seven co-sanctioned events in 2012 saw foreign professionals triumph with a high number of locals missing the halfway cut at these big-money events. It is extremely disappointing that there were only three Malaysians in the top-20 of the ADT Order of Merit and not a single representative earned a full card to the Asian Tour in 2013. It is important that our professionals see the need to raise their game and use the opportunity of playing a majority of these ADT events in their backyard to their advantage, instead of playing second fiddle to journeymen and even part-time foreign pros at times.

FEWER EVENTS, BIGGER PURSES

While the Tour will boast a total of 22 events in 2013 with a minimum prize purse of RM 150,000, I am a firm believer that a schedule of fewer events with bigger purses will not only encourage players to travel around the region for tournaments but also ensure that the players on the lower end of the leaderboard take home a fairer share. PGM NEGERI SEMBILAN CLASSIC NICHOLAS FUNG

PGM MELAKA CLASSIC SUKREE OTHMAN

While the PGM administrators have stressed time and time again that the tour’s main objective is not to encourage a handout culture, it is nonetheless vital that professionals, especially those just making the transitions are able to make a decent living on Tour.

of playing professionals on Tour as well as to provide a platform for experienced amateurs to progress to the next level, the quality at show in these events has been less than desirable, with the majority turning up struggling to make the three-day mark of 15-over 232.

FORMALISING TOUR-PLAYER RELATIONSHIP As I mentioned in my editorial earlier in the year, the Tour should seriously consider to introduce a formal Tournament Players Committee (TPC) as part of its structure to promote better communication and transparency within the tour. As a fully functional Tour it is vital that there is an outlet where its players’ opinions are heard and moderated as opposed to having them wash dirty linen on social networking sites as well as having small ‘coffee shop’ talks during tournament week, which goes no way in addressing the issues at hand.

Indeed, it has caught our attention that junior amateurs as young as 12 years of age are participating in these feeder tours with an eye of breaking the record for the youngest player to earn a PGM Tour card, instead of concentrating on honing their game and focusing on school!

QUALIFYING SCHOOL

While I can comprehend that the product in itself is not attractive enough for the refined domestic golfing crowd that longs for star attractions, the Tour also has a responsibility to make the Tour a far more attractive spectacle for the public.

In mid-2012, the PGM Satellite Tour was introduced, with monthly qualifying tournaments being held. While this “feeder” Tour has been welcomed by some quarters, I cannot share the optimism of such a structure.

It can start with a selection of better and more challenging venues as well as being more proactive in its relationship with the various media channels. While advertising boards, banners and tee markers are becoming a more regular sight, the Tour definitely needs to reconsider its marketing and branding strategy if it is to keep its existing partners happy and attract a different category of sponsors.

A source of great confusion for me has been the qualifying structure for the Tour. In its first year of inception, there were two qualifying schools - held before the opening leg and one in the middle of the season.

Almost all the established Tours in the world have only one Qualifying School, which is held immediately after the conclusion of the preceding season or just before the opening leg of the new season. While the idea behind the introduction of the Satellite Tour is noble, i.e. to increase the pool

PGM EASTWOOD VALLEY MASTERS JAY BAYRON

BRAND IDENTITY

Little has changed in terms of branding efforts on the Tour since its introduction. Except for pockets of crowds at certain events, the overall turnout of golf fans has been rather poor.

The learning curve may have been steep for the PGM Tour, but it is time that it begins to reflect its growing stature.

PGM UMW GLENMARIE CLASSIC NICHOLAS FUNG PGM MIDF KLGCC MASTERS BRIAN LOCKE

PGM MAYBANK TPC AKHMAL TARMIZEE

IN GAVIN WE TRUST 2012 will be best remembered as the year that national amateur Gavin Kyle Green turned his massive promise into reality

It was a year of many firsts for Gavin Kyle Green, who ended a 15year absence of a local winner at the Malaysian Amateur Open on the back of a swashbuckling display of tee-to-green perfection at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club. He will go on to become the first Malaysian to advance into the matchplay rounds of the US Amateur Open before clinching his first collegiate victory at the William H. Tucker Invitational.

ÂŠ Khalid Ridza / Asian Tour

His absence at the Asian Amateur Championship raised questions and was sorely felt but an inspiring display at the World Amateur Team Championship in Antalya, Turkey, where he helped the national menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team to a strong 12th placing is worth mentioning.

Abel Tam answered his ‘doubters’ with a string of impressive wins at the North Malaysian, Kelantan and Johor Amateur Opens and bagged himself a brand new Perodua Myvi at the Worldwide Selangor Masters when he scored an ace.

Northern boy Muhd Afif Muhd Razif advanced into the weekend rounds of the Asian Amateur Championship but not before winning the Malaysian Amateur Closed Championship and ending the year by topping the field at the RGB Kedah Amateur Open.

Malaysia secured their place in the Youth Olympic Games 2014 in Nanjing after an inspired display at the World Amateur Team Championship for the Eisenhower and Espirito Santo trophies with men in joint 12th and ladies finishing a respectable 25th.

Australian Whitney Hillier lived up to her top billing as she charged down defending champion and hot favourite Kelly Tan to clinch the 29th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open in dramatic fashion.

Aretha Pan was always expected to challenge at the Malaysian Games (SUKMA) XV championship at Royal Pahang Golf Club but a dramatic playoff victory over Johor’s Kelly Tan ensured Sabah completed a sweep of all four gold medals on offer. Albright Chong had earlier surprised the field by easing to the boys’ individual title.

Hard working Mohd Wafiyuddin Abdul Manaf of Universiti Utara Malaysia staked a strong claim for a national team call-up with a solid showing in a number of tournaments, culminating with victories at the Higher Education Ministry Chief Secretary’s Cup, Faldo Series Malaysian Championship, Malacca Amateur Open and the TSM Golf Challenge

MALAYSIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN KJ Just like the Korean powerhouse he shares an acronym with, youngster Low Khai Jei has been a much needed maverick for the local golf scene

Low Khai Jei romped to a wire-to-wire victory at the 100Plus Malaysian Junior Open in September, claiming an emphatic 13-stroke victory. He had earlier clinched the Perlis Amateur Open and Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) National Golf Championship as well as the Etiqa Selangor International Junior Masters. His 2012 record includes a tied fourth finish at the British Junior Open as well as a joint 23rd placing at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

Ervin Chang underlined his future potential by emerging tops in the boys division of the inaugural Malaysian Junior Closed as Nur Durriyah Damian held on for a wire-to-wire victory in the girls’ division.

Kelly Tan grabbed a hattrick of titles at the Tan Sri Muhyiddin (TSM) Golf Challenge, strolling to a 15-stroke victory while Mohd Wafiyuddin Abdul Manaf powered to a sixshot triumph in the boys’ under-21 division.

Banking giant Maybank unveiled its Champions Academy, aiming to provide a fully-sponsored opportunity for beginners as well as weaker juniors to become better and golf.

Malaysia emerged champions in the Ryder Cup-styled team event during the inaugural Kids Golf World Championship but only three locals namely Bryan Teoh Wiyang, Natasha Andrea Oon and Low Khai Jei claimed individual honours from of the 18 age-group categories contested. The Junior Swing Programme was a strategic initiative between Golf House Academy, the golf academic arm of RSH Malaysia Sdn Bhd and the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Akademi Kemahiran Belia dan Golf to provide professional coaching programmes to youths between 10 to 15 years of age around the country.

The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) has joined forces with the Ministry of Education to realise a long-term effort to take golf to schools by teeing-off its Golf in Schools pilot project in seven Klang Valley schools.

Winners at the Ambank Group-SportExcel National Junior Golf Grand Finals as well as the overall champions at the CIMB Foundation-SportExcel Malaysian Junior Premier-elite Golf Circuit. In a surprising move, CIMB Foundation have decided to relinquish their title sponsorship of the elite circuit.

KING LOUIS REIGNS SUPREME “It would have been better if it was green,” ~ Louis Oosthuizen as he slipped on the customary navy blue jacket.

attered after flying halfway across the globe and still bruising from a nasty hook offloaded by an American southpaw named Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen was far from physically and mentally in sync for a title assault as he arrived for the Maybank Malaysian Open. Resilient in quality and effortless in style, King Louis delivered a near flawless collection of rounds in the 60s at the West Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to coast to a memorable three-stroke victory over Scotsman Stephen Gallacher. The South African dug deep into his reserves, defying fatigue on a tiring 26-hole final day and rode his luck when it mattered to total 17-under-par 271, topping the leaderboard ahead of marquee players from both the European and Asian Tours to lift the Seagram Trophy in style. HIGH: Louis Oosthuizen was always going to be the popular winner after his Masters heartbreak but it was the sight of little Jana Oosthuzen rushing impatiently to hug her dad on the 18th gave the occasion that extra hearttugging feel. LOW: Boasting five Major champions and a high-quality Continental line-up, it was nonetheless disheartening to hear grumbles from spectators about the lack of star players in today’s climate of astronomical appearance fees and A&A benefits.

©Khalid Redza/Asian Tour

MAKING NEWS: The Prime Minister always comes to the Malaysian Open bearing gifts and it was not surprising that the custodians of the game, the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) received an additional grant of RM2 million for the development of the Royal & Ancient sport in the country.

©Khalid Redza/Asian Tour

IN THE SIDELINES: Going up the hot air balloon while doing my part for a cause very close to the heart proved a fitting way to end a great week despite all the weather stoppages.

OCTOBER 11 - 14 KUALA LUMPUR GCC

PARK CONTINUES KOREAN DOMINANCE

ust as you begin to wonder how the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia could get any better - the top names of women’s golf are no longer a novelty for the Malaysian golf fans - the third instalment of the US$1.9 million event proved once again why the LPGA’s tried and tested formula continues to yield an exciting show like no other. A stellar field of competitors, a great venue in Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s East Course, strong galleries and one of the richest purses on the LPGA combined for a power-packed spectacle even if the weather at times proved an extra opponent. But a 72-hole programme was completed and in the end comeback queen Inbee Park was crowned as the LPGA Malaysia’s third straight Korean winner. But not before a riveting final round battle as Park overturned titleholder and compatriot Na Yeon Choi’s two shot overnight lead to triumph by the same margin; the former’s strong run of birdies early on Sunday proving the catalyst despite a nervous finish with dropped shots on the two last holes for a 15-under 269 overall. Defending champion Choi came out unstirred after the opening exchanges but her challenge fizzled out on the back nine as the most consistent player on the LPGA comfortably clinched her third LPGA title and second victory of the season. HIGH: Watching 16-year-old Sarfina Vinota Seretharan tee-off at the tournament on merit, after finishing second in the national qualifiers. While four straight rounds in the 80s was nothing to crow about and even attracted brickbats from the armchair critics, the young lass gained invaluable experience and immense confidence from playing alongside some of her idols. LOW: “It’s like auditioning for a role you’re already playing,” said United States-based professional Jean Chua, who once again struggled to live up to the home crowd’s expectations. Whether it is a case of crumbling under the intense spotlight - something she is not accustomed to on the Symetra Tour - or the fact that she has never really overcome her traumatic final-hole breakdown at the 2010 edition - only time would answer. IN THE NEWS: Sime Darby Berhad reaffirmed its commitment to the growth and sustainability of the game of golf at both a professional and grassroot level in Malaysia by extending its title sponsorship for the tournament through 2015.

ON THE SIDELINES: Getting all ten players to autograph our commemorative Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia poster - now that was a job well done!

TIGER ROARS BUT WATNEY SOARS “Winning the tournament was more important than a 59 for me.” ~ Nick Watney

housands passed through the turnstiles over four days at The MINES Resort & Golf Club to catch a glimpse of golf’s most marketable commodity Tiger Woods 13 years after his first visit and the 14-time Major winner obliged with a performance befitting the tidy ”investment” put out by title sponsor CIMB Group. A hot favourite entering the tournament, Woods was never really far from the top of the leaderboard and anticipation grew as the 36-year-old prowled with six birdies through 10 holes on a sun-baked final round. As stellar as he was, Woods missed his chance at an epic comeback win by leaving some great shots on the course, settling for a final round eightunder 63. It paved the way for another debutant, Nick Watney who rode on a hot putter en-route to a career low round of ten-under 61 to finish a stroke ahead of defending champion Bo Van Pelt and third round co-leader Robert Garrigus with a 22-under 262 overall. HIGH: Pint-sized JBE Kruger proved that the Asian Tour contingent was not merely making the numbers, staying in contention for much of the week before a cold putter all but robbed the South African off a chance to better Mardan Mamat’s tied-fifth finish in 2010. Kruger took possession of sole eighth, ahead of Gaganjeet Bhullar in tied tenth. LOW: Despite their much-vaulted commitment to grow the game in Asia, the PGA Tour’s cochief operating officer Ed Moorhouse felt right to comment mid-way through the tournament that the expanded 2013 CIMB Classic will not lead to an increase in invites for Asian Tour players.

IN THE NEWS: The CIMB Classic will become a full-fledged PGA Tour event starting in 2013 and will likely be the third stop when the tour begins its new season in October after the FedExCup competition. It will see an increased field of 78 players and a richer prize purse of US$7 million. © eddieputera

It proved not only to be in bad taste as the two Tours were due to discuss the breakdown of invites later that week but an affront to the fact that the event has been sanctioned by the Asian Tour event in its first three years as an exhibition!

ON THE SIDELINES: Whatever happened to the overtly enthusiastic fan that got literally pummeled to the ground by Woods’ burly bodyguard is beyond us.

ÂŠ Khalid Ridza

SPANISH CONQUEROR

op draw Sergio Garcia made sure that his maiden visit to Malaysia ended on a spectacular fashion by lifting the Iskandar Johor Open with an impressive 18-under-par 198 total. Tropical thunderstorms created havoc by reducing the Asian Tour season-finale to a 54hole contest but it was the Ryder Cup-winning Spaniard who showed that no amount of weather disruption could derail his momentum to clinch his 24th career victory. Wielding a sizzling hot putter, Garcia drained 11 birdies in a faultless closing display to storm three strokes clear of Asian Development Tour graduate Jonathan Moore, who matched the former’s superlative final round 11-under 61. Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee signed for his week’s best score of 65 to take third place at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club. HIGH: National amateur champion Gavin Kyle Green, who had twice advanced into the weekend rounds in 2008 and 2009, continued his steady climb to stardom by topping the domestic challenge with a joint 18th finish on seven-under 209, three clear of professionals Danny Chia and S. Sivachandhran. LOW: The timing of the event has always coincided with monsoon season and not surprisingly, rain stoppages proved the only undoing of an exciting contest.

MAKING NEWS: The US$2 million tournament has grown from strength to strength over the year and was named the Asian Tour’s Tournament of the Year after delivering a drama-packed conclusion to the 2012 season. IN THE SIDELINES: It is not always that one of golf’s big names spends a good two hours with the media but Garcia proved a sporting bloke as he spoke candidly about his favourite football team, his family’s Christmas celebration and of course, about his new match-winning TaylorMade Rocketbladez irons.

SUBLIME SCHWARTZEL ENDS TITLE DROUGHT “Winning is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be.” ~ Charl Schwartzel

harl Schwartzel made a starstudded field look ordinary as he breezed to the Thailand Golf Championship on December 9, leading from the word go to finish in a class of his own on 25-under-par 263 at Amata Spring Golf & Country Club. As his rivals wilted in the Chonburi heat, the 28-year-old put forth a stunning display of precision putting, dropping only a single shot all week to wrap up a dominating 11-shot victory with a closing seven-under 65 at the US$1 million full-field Asian Tour event. It was Schwartzel’s first win since claiming the 2011 US Masters, with the South African enduring a frustrating time since then due to injuries and poor form. HIGH: The Thais are well known for their long pipeline of up-and-coming golfing stars and it did not come as a surprise that another one these hopefuls passed his audition with flying colours. Twenty-year-old Thitiphun Chuayprakong impressed many during a gallant run, thrilling the local galleries with some glorious golf to finish tied second with reigning Masters Tournament champion Bubba Watson for a handsome pay cheque of US$84,750. LOW: It is difficult to complain when you’re in the Land of Smiles but the daily commute from the heart of Bangkok to the golf club located in the industrial suburb of Amata can be a tad torturous in the city’s notorious rush-hour congestion.

ON THE SIDELINES: Perhaps the best spectator experience or probably, second to none in these parts. Great public pavilions, cheap eats, activity areas and spacious open spaces around the finishing hole for the fans to sit and be part of the action! © Paul Lakatos / Asian Tour

IN THE NEWS: The fact that the consortium of sponsors that put this high-class tournament feel they can still do a better job next year. Talk about commitment...

CELEBRATING CHAMPIONS! THE 2012 ASIAN TOUR ROLL OF HONOUR

All eyes on Thaworn Wiratchant as he plays the ball out of the rough at the Barclays Singapore Open in November.

NEARING GREATNESS “The record which I’ve set is for someone to break. It can’t be there forever.” ~ Thawon Wiratchant

hai maestro Thaworn Wiratchant, who turned 46 on December 28, enjoyed a season to remember with three magnificent victories and runner-up finishes on four other occasions to earn himself a second Order of Merit crown since 2005. By reaching the pinnacle once more, Thaworn became the oldest Asian Tour number one with an unprecedented 15 career victories. Despite an unorthodox golf swing but armed with a wonderful short game which many pundits claim to be among the best in the world, he was victorious at the Queen’s Cup on home soil, the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters and the Hero Indian Open. He also rose to a career high of 69th place on the final Official World Golf Ranking for 2012, with an eye now on qualifying for the Masters Tournament in April which will require him to break into the top-50 by the end of March. “This is the result of hard work,” said a jubilant Thaworn, whose practice routine is to wake up at 5.30am every morning when he is home to begin a golf grind which includes hours at the chipping green. “There are new players coming in and I’m getting older. That’s not an excuse but I definitely had to try harder this time. I never thought I could win the Order of Merit at this age.

©Khalid Redza/Asian Tour

2012 ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT 1 Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha) $738,046 2 Marcus Fraser (Aus) $672,744 3 Jbe Kruger (RSA) $474,988 4 Masanori Kobayashi (Jpn) $471,079 5 Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) $451,245 6 Prom Meesawat (Tha) $385,910 7 Jonathan Moore (USA) $370,927 8 Shiv Kapur (Ind) $358,725 9 Chapchai Nirat (Tha) $335,152 10 Anirban Lahiri (Ind) $289,731

Thaworn Wiratchant receives the Order of Merit trophy from Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han

THE ASIAN TOUR ROUND-UP

Over a few sticks of satay and cups of Ipoh white coffee, the dynamic Asian Tour pair of Calvin Koh and Doyle De Costa look back at a highly entertaining year on Asia’s leading professional circuit and pick their highlight moments for your reading pleasure.

Calvin Koh (CK): Most definitely. At the age of 45 (he turned 46 after the season ended on December 28) he gave the young players a run for their money. He was consistent for the entire season, winning three titles at the Queen’s Cup in Thailand, Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters in Malaysia and Hero Indian Open. He missed only three cuts in 25 appearances while notching eight top-five results. He is a deserving winner for the second time since 2005.

Doyle De Costa (DDC): Thaworn loves his golf and he loves playing. Golf is his life and you can never take that away from him. More importantly, he loves winning! The Thai is a role model for the younger players and newcomers to Asia. If you are an avid golf fan, you might cringe at his golf swing but his trophies are evidence that it doesn’t matter how you do it as long as you get the job done! Q: What are your Asian Tour highlights for 2012?

on too many occasions and it was a joy to see him win the Avantha Masters in India. The fistpump when he sank the winning putt was priceless. Digvijay Singh of India also won his first title since joining the Asian Tour in 2000. The multi-talented player, who enjoys skydiving, shooting and target shooting, is one of the most amiable characters on Tour and he deservingly won the title against the likes of Gaganjeet Bhullar.

CK: It was nice to see the young guys playing well and winning on the Asian Tour. Straight after earning his Asian Tour card, Kieran Pratt of Australia triumphed at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open in a three-way play-off against Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and compatriot Adam Blyth. David Lipsky (left) of the United States then went on to win the Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic with an exquisite chip-in birdie on the first play-off hole to defeat Elmer Salvador of the Philippines. Not forgetting Arnond Vongvanij’s huge victory over Thaworn Wiratchant and Mardan Mamat of Singapore. DDC: I’ve seen Jbe Kruger (right) finish second

Q: Is Thaworn Wiratchant the worthy Order of Merit winner?

CK: Marcus Fraser on the Iskandar Johor Open: “Hopefully we don’t get too much of rain or else we might be wearing gumboots or jet skiing out there.” Ernie Els on the Iskandar Johor Open rain suspension: “I pray to God that we should have more of this kind of weather as I’m from South Africa and we’ve a dry climate. I like this kind of weather especially when I’m sleeping but not when I’m playing golf!” Scott Hend on waiting before being declared the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic winner: “It’s sort of like you’re going out and have to wait for your wife to do her hair or something. You’re just sitting around and pacing around and that was what I was feeling then.”

Thaworn Wiratchant on playing as many Asian Tour events in 2013: “Why are all of you here? It is because this is your job. Golf is my job so if there are 12 straight weeks; I’ll play in all of them.” Michael Tran after finishing tied third at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters: “Maybe I’ve found something more than golf. Maybe my girlfriend (Huynh Ly Dong Phuong) has helped me a bit. She’s got my mind off things, don’t get so into it.”

Which was your favourite event of the year and why? CK: The Omega European Masters was definitely the highlight of the year. The beauty of Crans Montana was simply stunning. There are not many golf courses in the world that can mesmerise you the way the Cranssur-Sierre Golf Club does. Perched amidst the picturesque Swiss Alps, even all the golfers whom I’ve interviewed during the week were distracted by the sights around the course. The Omega European Masters is the first event in Europe to be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour since 2009 and although no Asian players have yet to lift the trophy, I’m confident it’ll be a matter of time before we welcome one, judging from their recent performances on the world stage.

DDC: Charl Schwartzel on Thitiphun Chuayprakong (top) at the Thailand Golf Championship: “I can’t pronounce his name, the guy I played with. Thi-ti-phun? He was

Both of you interview many players through the year; what are your favourite quotes of the year?

very good. He hits it very short and playing on this golf course the way he did, it was pretty phenomenal.

DDC: I enjoyed doing the CIMB Classic. I had fun being on ‘Tiger Watch’ and hoping one of the Asian Tour players get paired with the man himself. My dream came true as Marcus Fraser played with him in the opening round while Jbe Kruger outplayed him on the second day. The Iskandar Johor Open was one of the very few events which Calvin and I did together and banter always ensues when the dynamic duo (Calvin came out with this term!) are in town. A big thank you to the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club for constantly replenishing the food in the media centre and making us heavier when we left!

What are your expectations for 2013? CK: I would like to see another Asian winning a Major tournament. Y.E. Yang is the first Asian to do so at the PGA Championship in 2009 and I hope another player can repeat his feat. It would also be nice to see some of the younger players such as Miguel Tabuena, Mithun Perera and Thitiphun Chuayprakong winning their first Asian Tour titles. © Paul Lakatos / Asian Tour

Bhullar (top) recovered from that defeat and went on to win the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship and Venetian Macau Open. It was nice to see the young Indian contending for the Order of Merit title before Thaworn sealed the deal.

On the Tiger watch

DDC: I totally agree with Calvin. Anirban Lahiri (top) stood his ground at the 2012 British Open, sinking the only ace in the third round of the event to finish 31st in his Major debut. It will be great if we could see more Asians contending in the Majors and hopefully winning.

Mardan Mamat says a prayer after claiming his third Asian Tour title in Manila

A NEW DAWN AWAITS The business end of 2012 saw some interesting developments in the Singaporean golf scene, which lays the foundation for an exciting year ahead

By Justine Moss

t has been a busy 12 months on Singapore’s golfing calendar with a number of highlights and defining moments during the course of 2012. While Barclays will be sorely missed as title sponsor of the Singapore Open – 2012 was the seventh and final year of sponsorship. HSBC kept most golfing pundits waiting for their announcement regarding the future of the HSBC Women’s Championship which was up for renewal.

results, saw him finish in 16th place on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit with winnings of almost US$248,000. Proving that The Philippines brought out the best in Singapore, Quincy Quek, who turned professional in finished in 67th place with earnings just shy of US$48,000, won his first pro event in October at the Asian Development Tour’s ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship just south of Manila.

Sighs of relief were uttered when the banking giant finally renewed their commitment for another three years in October, taking the tournament through 2015. The marquee women’s golf event from February 28 to March 3 will however find itself a new home at the Sentosa Golf Club. World Sport Group (WSG), organisers of the Singapore Open, have yet to announce Barclays’ replacement but there was some good news with the Singapore PGA resigning WSG to the tournament for another five years. A couple of Singaporean professionals didn’t end the year searching for victories, with the country’s number one, Mardan Mamat, and Quincy Quek deservedly etching their names on a couple of trophies. Mardan triumphed at the ICSTI Philippine Open in March and this, coupled with a few decent

On the women’s amateur front, the Queen Sirikit Cup returned to Singapore in April this year. A total of 14 countries in the Asia Pacific region sent their top three female amateurs to participate in the event, which is played over three days. Singapore last hosted the tournament in 1983. Unfortunately the Singapore trio of Koh Sock Hwee, 22, Amelia Yong, 20, and Fariza Izanie Zain, 21, failed to fire in the competition, finishing in last position.

Mizuno senior manager - Asia Ocenia Morimitsu Andachi speaks to some of the SSS students including Malaysia’s Ryan Wong (far left)

In the amateur scene, 21-year-old Jonathan Woo became the fifth Singaporean to win the Putra Cup individual trophy in September, by a massive nine strokes. He followed that up with a good showing at the Barclays Singapore Open, playing two great rounds of 70 and 71 to be the best Singaporean - even among the professionals - to make the cut. Although subsequent rounds were 74 and 77, he tied for an impressive 63rd place with big name players such as Gregory Havret and Jyoti Randhawa.

Still on the amateur front, to end the year on a high note and to further nurture junior golfers in Singapore, RSH Singapore and Mizuno embarked on a three-year partnership with the Singapore Sports School in December to become its official equipment and apparel sponsor of the school’s Golf Academy. As part of the sponsorship deal, each golfing student will also receive a brand new set of Mizuno irons. Wishing all a wonderful and happy 2013 on the fairways!

Adam Scott and caddie Steve Williams look to have disposed any lingering bad feelings after The Open

Seconds, anyone? The Aussie Year In Review By Richard Fellner

or Australia’s touring professionals, 2012 was a mixed bag of hits and near-misses. While many of our youngest and best golfers achieved victories overseas, the year will likely be known more for a string of second-place finishes, with many Aussies getting close to the podium, but not quite getting over the line.

However, with some solid play in extremely windy conditions in the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney, Peter was able to outgun the young guns to claim his second Australian Open, a massive 23 years after his first in 1989. At 53, Peter became the oldest Australian Open champion in the history of the event.

including a T2 at the co-sanctioned Omega European Masters, a second place at the BMW International Open (European Tour), as well as three other top-5 finishes. Fraser would narrowly miss out on taking the Asian Tour OOM, however, finishing 2nd behind Thaworn Wiratchant.

The most notable of the near-misses would certainly be Adam Scott’s travails at the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes. Starting Round 4 with a lead that had most of the world assuming that an Aussie-bound Claret Jug was a near-certainty, the wheels slowly began to fall off for Adam.

In the US, 2009 Rookie of the Year Marc Leishman broke through for his maiden win on the PGA Tour, grabbing the Travelers Championship in style. Overcoming a six-stroke deficit to win by a single stroke, Leishman’s final round of 62 made him the second Aussie to win the event, following in the footsteps of Greg Norman.

In Japan, Brendan Jones triumphed twice in 2012, taking home the prize at both the Token Homemate Cup and the Sun Chlorella Classic. Despite the victories, however, he could only manage to finish 3rd on the money list. Fellow Aussie Brad Kennedy also tasted success in Japan last year, winning the Mizuno Open.

Peter Senior pulled out his famous tricks to triumph at a gale swept Lakes Golf Club.

A four-shot lead with just four holes to play soon evaporated to nil, with a resurgent Ernie Els coming from behind to grab victory, while Aussie golf fans were left stunned and gutted. Adam would get redemption of sorts, however, a few months later on home soil, as he cruised to an easy victory at the Talisker Australian Masters. In winning his penultimate event in 2012, Adam managed to continue his impressive streak of winning at least one tournament every year since 2001. Another player to battle back for redemption would be Champions Tour player Peter Senior. With a string of near-misses in 2012, including a 2nd and a 3rd (with 10 top-10s overall), Peter was regularly on the cusp of his breakthrough win on the Champions Tour, but fell agonisingly short.

On the OneAsia Tour, Australians grabbed a pair of victories, including Nick Cullen’s win at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open, and Matthew Griffin’s top finish at The Charity High 1 Open in South Korea. In addition, the co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship saw young Daniel Popovic fend off a charge from all comers to grab an emotional victory. Popovic, whose father is battling cancer, inspired a legion of young golfers (and journalists!) in the process. The win helped propel Popovic into 2nd on the OneAsia OOM, behind Bi-o Kim. Aussies Matthew Griffin (3rd) and Nick Cullen (5th) also placed in the top-5.

On the Asian Tour, Aussies Kieran Pratt and Scott Hend grabbed victories, in the Zaykabar Myanmar Open and ISPS Handa Singapore Classic, respectively. Globetrotting Marcus Fraser showed great form throughout the year,

Some of the more unexpected wins of the year came not from professionals, but from amateurs. New South Wales’ Jake Higginbottom was the surprise winner at the New Zealand Open in Christchurch. With a 7-under 281, Higginbottom became the first amateur since Australian Harry Berwick in 1956 to win the NZ Open. Likewise, 18-yearold amateur Oliver Goss showed up his elders when he claimed the 2012 Western Australia Open Championship played at Royal Perth Golf Club. As for 2013, the future is looking bright for Matt Jones and Steven Bowditch, who earned their playing rights for the 2013 PGA Tour following impressive top-25 placing at the U.S. Qualifying School. Mathew Goggin finished an agonising one shot shy of earning his tour card, and will join Rod Pampling, Gavin Coles, Nick O’Hern, Bryden Macpherson and James Nitties on the secondary Web.com Tour in 2013. As for our more notable names on tour next year, we expect the most from Jason Day. Coming back after the birth of his first child, Day will be looking to regain the form that saw him compete strongly in 2011. In addition, John Senden is currently playing some of the best golf of his career, so we expect great things from him in 2013.

Combines long and straight drives with composure on the greens to win the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship on the FedEx Cup playoff schedule - emerging with the most wins - four - on the PGA Tour this year.

A mid-season slump saw the 23-year-old miss three cuts in four starts including at The Players Championship and the US Open.

Played a pivotal part in Europe’s Ryder Cup success but will be most remembered for almost missing his singles tee-off against Keegan Bradley had it not been for a state trooper rushing him to the course. A relieved captain Jose Maria Olazabal will make sure that he receives a fitting present to remember his gaffe after a solid 2&1 win.

Secures his second major championship at the PGA Championship in Kiawah Island, just the same as he did the first - by romping to a record-setting eight-shot victory, beating the seven-stroke triumph of Jack Nicklaus at Oak Hill in 1980.

Wozzilroy - as the the Northern Irishman and his beau WTA tennis player Caroline Wozniaki went by - became a familiar sight both on the fairway as well as on the asphalt.

We round up some of the more memorable McIlroy moments in 2012

ROARING YEAR FOR McILROY

Shoots a final round 69 to hold off a Sunday charge by Tiger Woods at the Honda Classic to win his third PGA Tour title and surge to the top of the world rankings - the second youngest ever player to rank No.1.

The Duel at Jinsha Lake proved nothing more than an exhibition but scenes of McIlroy snatching one of Woods’ Nike clubs and taking a few practice swings did little to dampen speculation that he will join Nike after Acushnet Company announced that the pair would be ending a fruitful five-year relationship in December.

ÂŠ Getty

Having emulated Luke Donaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2011 feat of winning both the American and European money lists, McIlroy capped a sensational year by birdieing his last five holes to win the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai by two shots from Englishman Justin Rose.

Rickie Fowler claimed his maiden PGA Tour win in his 67th start, beating Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points to win the Wells Fargo Championship.

Sun Young Yoo takes the customary leap into Poppie’s Pond after winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship with an 18-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole against IK Kim

Journeyman Robert Rock eclipses Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to claim his biggest career payday at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

South African Branden Grace became the first player to win four European Tour titles in the season after graduating from Qualifying School with victories at the Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions, Volvo China Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Bubba Watson slings out a mind-blowing hook to set-up his Masters victory over Louis Oosthuizen.

Louis Oosthuizen grabbed an early lead in sensational fashion with an albatross but came out short in the playoff.

Webb Simpson proved the last man standing against the Olympic Club’s stern challenge, as he beat a pair of Major champions to win the US Open.

In what turned out to be an agonising year of many misses for Jim Furyk, his collapse with six holes to play at the US Open proved the most bitter.

Tiger Woods all pumped up after draining a signatureflop shot on the 16th at The Memorial Tournament, en-route to a two-shot victory. Having matched Jack Nicklaus’ mark of 73 PGA Tour wins, he will pull one clear with his third title of the year at the AT&T National.

Na Yeon Choi won her first major at the U.S. Women’s Open and closed the season in style by winning the CME Group Titleholders.

Feng Shanshan becomes China’s first Major winner by triumphing at the LPGA Championship

Matt Kuchar comes up clutch at Players Championship, getting the better of a treacherous Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass to win the biggest title of his professional career.

Tiger Woods playing perhaps the most toughest golf shot of the year from an impossible lie in the greenside bunker on the sixth at Royal Lytham.

Ernie Els took advantage of Adams Scott’s ruinous finish to claim an unlikely Claret Jug at the 114th Open Championship the only player to return with four rounds of par or better.

US Amateur Open winner Lydia Ko became the youngest ever winner on the LPGA Tour - by more than a year - and the first amateur to win on the tour in 43 years at the RBC Canadian Open.

Shin Jiyai strolled to her second Women’s British Open title, winning by nine shot at Royal Liverpool after a marathon 36-hole final day.

Keegan Bradley all but wrapped up a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team by winning the WGCBridgestone Invitational at the expense of Jim Furyk.

Stacy Lewis emerged as the first American in 18 years, and since Beth Daniel in 1994, to win the Rolex Player of The Year award on the back of four LPGA titles in 2012.

Brandt Snedeker reacts after winning the Tour Championship and the FedExCup, earning himself a whopping US$11.4 million payday at East Lakes.

Ian Poulter once again proved to Europe’s talisman as he led a stunning comeback to triumph by one point over a shell-shocked American side at Medinah Country Club.

Miguel Angel Jimenez became the oldest winner on the European Tour by clinching his third victory UBS Hong Kong Open victory at the age of 48 years and 318 days.

Nineteen-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero holes a 12-foot eagle putt to beat Louis Oosthuizen on the third playoff hole at the Barclays Singapore Open to become the youngest player to ever capture three European Tour title

THE GOOD AND THE BAD

It is inevitable at this time of year to look back at the 2012 season and make an assessment of what went wrong or right and who, in the language of Premiership football, done good (or bad). Martin Vousden lists his (very personal) highs and lows of the year.

Paul “Chippy’ Lawrie lived up to his nickname in style at the Ryder Cup, capping a fantastic season where he also won in Qatar and his native Scotland.

The Highs

5. Paul Lawrie The quiet, undemonstrative man from Aberdeen has had to live for almost a decade-and-a-half with the repeated assertion that he did not win the 1999 Open but Jean Van de Velde lost it. This belief always did him a great disservice – he made up 10 strokes in the final round, shooting a stunning 67 that was two strokes better than anyone else and then played a superb four-hole playoff in two-under par. He is one of golf’s good guys, so it was a delight to see him win at the beginning of the season in Qatar and cement his Ryder Cup place with a second victory at the Johnnie Walker Championship. 4. The Curtis Cup For most of the 20th Century the biggest team events in golf – the Ryder, Walker and Curtis Cups – were dominated by America, and the addition of the Solheim Cup didn’t change things. They usually managed to win, often at a canter, and the most obvious measure of their superiority was that they always took the singles. So when Team USA recorded a whitewash 4-0 on the opening morning foursomes at Nairn in June, the omens were not good. Yet GB&I fought back, won the singles and, for the only time in history, all four international team competitions reside on the same (correct) side of the Atlantic.

Tegwen Matthews’s Great Britain and Ireland team won the Curtis Cup at Nairn - the first time the US had been beaten in 16 years.

3. Mathias Vinson On the second hole of the BMW International Open in Germany, our hero, who was caddying for Jose Manuel Lara, noticed that the bag contained 15, rather than the legally allowed 14, clubs. So he wandered into the undergrowth, attracting the attention of Lara’s playing partners who asked what he was doing. They were told that the caddy had jettisoned the illegal club into the bushes. Lara (who was completely blameless) was disqualified and the caddy was advised to leave and not come back. Both punishments are harsh but appropriate and although we should all unite in condemning the nefarious activities of the errant caddy, it’s difficult not to smile. 2. Dan Jenkins The columnist for American magazine Golf Digest is, in my view, the greatest golf writer working today. He is irreverent, irascible, opinionated, and unflinching in his judgements, which show insight, experience and a scathing wit. He is the man who said of Prestwick GC that it has several holes you would like to roll up and mail to your top-10 enemies and if you haven’t read him, I urge you to seek out one of his anthologies. His induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May was, for me at least, long overdue. 1. The Ryder Cup There is no other contender for the golfing highlight of the year. Europe was dead and buried until a hopped up, spaced out lunatic by the name of Ian Poulter gave Saturday an unforgettable climax with five closing birdies. And then came the singles which, at three months’ distance still seem the stuff of dreams. We won eight and halved one to complete the most astonishing comeback in the history of the sport. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, the memory of which should keep us all warm through a long winter.

The Lows 5. Donald Trump The American billionaire cuts a ludicrous figure – pompous, bombastic, and egotistical and that’s not even considering the bird’s nest permanently perched atop his head. When he built a golf course on the Menie Estate in Scotland he made the farcical claim that it would be the best in the world. Now that it has opened, to warm but not ecstatic reviews, he says he will not complete the rest of his resort unless the Scottish government

shelves plans to build offshore wind farms. He gives golf a bad name. 4. Joy Reid Melissa Reid is a bubbly, enthusiastic, warm and friendly golfer on the European Women’s Tour. Throughout her career she was supported by her parents, Joy and Brian, who were wellknown and loved on the LET. So when they were involved in a car accident in Germany, that saw Brian injured and Joy killed, the whole Tour went into mourning. The fact that, just four weeks later, Melissa won – dedicating the victory to the inspiration provided by her mother – could not eradicate the sense of loss felt by so many. 3. Tweeters Some people, it seems, are incapable of absorbing the simple fact that social networking sites such as Twitter can be viewed by anyone in the world. As a consequence, they Tweet in haste and repent in leisure. During the ISPS Handa Wales Open, James Morrison tweeted: ‘Thanks Celtic Manor. Dump. One more round then can’t get over that bridge [the Severn] quick enough.’ He subsequently had to issue an apology but he wasn’t the first and will not be the last. 2. The Open Ernie Els is one of my favourite golfers in the world but his victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes was difficult to celebrate with too much enthusiasm. The reason, of course, was the disintegration of Adam Scott, who bogied the last four holes to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The only consolation is that his collapse denied his obnoxious caddy, Steve Williams, the chance to hold his own vainglorious press conference. 1. Long putters Finally, after years of ducking the issue, the governing bodies of golf – the R&A and USGA – propose to outlaw putters that are anchored, to either belly, arm or chest. This means that Rule 14-1(b) will read: ‘In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.”’ So now we can all return to golf the way it was meant to be played – although there will be a lot of squealing before the change comes into effect in 2016. It’s just a pity it has taken 30 years.

IMPASSE ON THE GREEN Just when the putter market is thriving again, the United States Golf Association and Royal & Ancient may be responsible for stifling its growth to some degree.

Guan Tianlang’s victory at the Asian Amateur Championship, aided by a belly putter, may have made the desicion a tad easier for Peter Dawson & co.

By Scott Kramer

he proposal made in late November, from both of golf’s ruling bodies is to eliminate PGA Tour pros’ ability to anchor long and belly putters during tournaments by 2016. This will likely cause a trickle-down effect on amateurs, who are inspired by their heroes and would like to emulate them by playing with similar equipment. Many in the golf community have not taken kindly to this, claiming that it is taking them away from the enjoyment of the game. The PGA of America, for example, was insistent with this point that they even issued a public statement with regards to it. Some manufacturers have also been up in arms over the ruling, fearing that the ruling is going to be eating away at their putter sales. However, the point may be arguable, as sales of long and belly putters were already dwindling since the second half of 2012. “I don’t think the USGA ruling will have a huge impact on putter sales,” says Tom Davidson, PGA director of golf at the upscale resort course Circle Raven Golf Club in Worley, Idaho. “I share the PGA’s perspective on it: It has added a lot of enjoyment to the game for those who have struggled with their putting. I don’t think anchoring is an advantage, but rather a way to make the game more enjoyable. I’m disheartened by the ruling, but I don’t think it will kill sales. To be honest, sales have been down on long and belly putters for six months anyway, and I think those sales will eventually die.”

At the Country Club of Detroit, Michigan, PGA pro Matt Bodde has been trying to convert conventional putter users to belly models for the past year, “ Using a tool that I can change each member’s existing putter over to a belly putter, if they want to try the concept. I haven’t seen a dramatic, overwhelming change of members toward the belly putter. Those that switched have changed back to their conventional putter.”

That said, many amateurs have made the switch with success. A one point in 2011, belly and long putters accounted for nearly 25 percent of all putter sales, according to manufacturers. This year, that percentage dipped to 15. Odyssey Golf must have anticipated the ruling, as many insiders did - but went a step further than its competitors by immediately introducing a pair of Metal-X Arm Lock putters (pix right) that conform to the anticipated ruling and offer an alternative method of stabilizing the putter through “a natural-feeling extension of the golfer’s arm” according to the company, which added that its pledge to golfers has always been to push convention while respecting tradition in a quest to help them sink more putts. “We have been working towards looking for solutions for the proposed ban on the anchoring technique for some time now, and working with our Tour players, have identified an alternative and Tour-proven putting method,” said Chris Koske, the company’s global director. “We’re now moving quickly to deliver the Arm Lock products that promote a stable and consistent putting stroke for both professionals and amateur golfers.” The $190 putters will

let golfers extend the shaft and grip up their lead forearm, which in turn provides control throughout the stroke. PGA Tour pros are divided on the issue, which is kind of what perpetuated this whole stir in the first place. Keegan Bradley, who has won several large events using belly putters, is of course not too pleased about it. Other veterans are not. Mark O’Meara said that anchoring a putter to your gut is like using a training aid. Likewise, Tom Watson agrees with banning the technique but understands the sentiment of fellow pros that have been using long putters and the anchoring technique. While the proposal is not yet set in stone, it probably will stand. And that leaves putter manufacturers to follow the suit of Odyssey, and once more find new and creative ways to make innovative products that play by the rules.

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We walk down the marketplace aisle to look at the groundbreaking golf products that tickled your fancy in 2012!

913 DRIVER

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Serious looking irons packing both exceptional ball speeds and high levels of forgiveness to deliver better distance and more solid feel than its predecessors. RRP: RM2,699 - 4,499

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TEE BOX

TM GOLF 2012

Nizam reigns as TM King of Swing

ver 100 golfers recently hit the greens for the much awaited grand final of TM Golf 2012 at The Mines Resort & Golf Club on December 8.

The golfers, consisting mainly of TM’s corporate customers were treated to a superb golfing experience at one of Malaysia’s top golf courses to mark the conclusion of the annual golf series’ successful fifth edition.

Champion Nizam Osman

Aimed at strengthening the relationship between TM and its loyal clientele, the partinvitation, part-open event teed-off in June with with the first qualifying leg held at Lanjut Golden Beach Golf Club in Pahang before making its way across the nation. Over 1,000 golfers participating in the nine qualifying legs with the top five finishers in the invitational category and top two finishers in the open division at each leg advancing to the grand final.

In the end, 15-handicapper Nizam Osman of Sime Darby was crowned the TM King of Swing 2012 after topping the standings with 39 Stableford points. Ainol Hasri Shah of Monty Media was a further point back in second, beating Arif Zaid on countback. Nusri Nouchi of Nusa Construction emerged as the gross champion, carding a round of four-over 75.

Runner-up Ainol Hasri Shah (left)

2012 with the objective of rewarding our loyal customers and strengthen relationships amongst all of us. This golfing series has entered into its fifth edition and we are very glad to receive encouraging feedback each year which encourages us to make it even better for the next edition,” said Ghazali. In addition to the fantastic main prizes that were up for grabs in both the invitational

2nd Runner-up Arif Zaid (left)

TM Enterprise - executive vice president Ghazali Omar was present alongside members of TM’s senior top management to give away the prizes to the winners.

and open categories, there were also novelty prizes as well as consolation prizes. A Peugeot 508 was also on offer for the lucky hole-in-one scorer but went unclaimed.

“I would like to congratulate all players for a high spirited, enthusiastic and exciting game especially to our winner, who walked home with the title “King of Swing” for 2012 and the Challenge Trophy!

The event was held in collaboration with various strategic partners including Peugeot (Nasim Sdn Bhd), Cleveland Golf, Crest Link, Srixon, ParGolf, The ClubHouse, Gatorade, AIG, Huawei, Fujikura Federal Cables, Pernec, Fiberhome, Golf Leisure International, De Catano, Blue Magnetic and SunPlay besides the ten golf clubs which hosted the legs.

TM is proud to organise our own TM Golf

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BECAUSE YOU DESERVE MORE!

The #1 Golf Card Just Got Better PHARMATON QUADRANGULAR CUP Tropicana, Kota Permai tied in inaugural four-club meet

he PHARMATON Quadrangular Cup which came to fruition on December 7 will see four premier Klang Valley clubs namely Kelab Golf Negara Subang, Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club and Tropicana Golf & Country Resort going head-to-head in a series of bi-annual tournaments for the next 10 years. The inaugural tournament hosted by Tropicana Golf & Country Resort saw each club represented by 12 players, comprising of the respective clubs’ committee members and management figures. Tropicana GCC and Kota Permai GCC emerged the joint champions with the latter due to host the second edition in June 2013.

With the AGSSG Golf card, the doors swing open for you at more than 70 golf clubs throughout Malaysia. Enjoy preferential golfing rates, be it on a weekday or a weekend.

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Charity tourney puts a smile on many faces

• MORE than just a plastic card – it’s a bio-energy health card! • MORE than just golfing in Malaysia. Now you can golf in Indonesia too! • MORE tournaments in 2012; the first ever to have its own premium series of golf tournaments exclusively for cardholders. • ALL-IN PRICE which includes Golfer's Insurance and 1-touch S.O.S Auto Assist Service 24/7 ... NOTHING more to pay!

lose to RM190,000 was raised for charity during the MPI Share & Care Charity Golf tournament held on November 29 at Saujana Golf & Country Club.

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The total charitable collection was achieved through a number of avenues such as packaged corporate sponsorships that included tournament flights, dinner ticket sales and an auction, along with proceeds from Multi-Purpose Insurans’ golf charity drive - which saw the leading insurance company contributing ten cents for every round of golf played at its partner clubs nationwide. All the proceeds were channelled in equal shares to six charitable organisations, namely the Montfort Boys Town, Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation – National Centre, Taman Megah Handicapped and Disabled Children’s Home, Women’s Aid Organisation Child Care Centre, Rumah Ozanam and Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia. Prizes were awarded to the top eight finishers based on Modified System 36 Nett Stableford, with Choong Hon Mun scoring 37 points to walk home with the top prize of a 3D2N trip to Bangkok. Chong won on countback from Sidek Ismail who received a 3D2N Hua Hin vacation while Justin See, who registered a score of 36 points clinched the third place prize of an Epos watch.

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TEE BOX

MAXIS TEAM GOLF TOUR

“This is the happiest moment of my golfing career,” said a visibly overjoyed Pakhruddin, who making his fourth MTGT grand final appearance.

“I’ve been trying so many times and finally I’ve done it with a partner who gave it her best shot. Lim played her part and I must add this has been a wonderful grand final for us all,” added the Terengganu native.

The duo combined for a 293 total and a comfortable 13-stroke victory over their nearest rivals Chong Chit Heng and Yau Wai Heng.

What made victory all the more remarkable for the champions was that Lim was the only female among the 40 finalists and the fact that she had made the trip to Yunnan by virtue of a lucky draw after the Templer Park Country Club leg was washed out due to inclement weather.

Pakhruddin-Hooi Peng combo triumph in Yunnan

akhruddin Abdul Majid teamed up with blind partner Lim Hooi Peng to win the 2012 Maxis Team Golf Tour grand final at Stoneforest International Country Club in Yunnan recently.

A further three strokes adrift in third was the pairing of Selvan Subramaniam and Ch’ng Bak Lim while Mohd Johari Mat Aris finished top in the individual gross race with two-day overall of 154, edging Idris Ngah by one stroke.

Another finalist who had plenty to celebrate was Mohamad Shokri Saad who won a RM13,000

Titoni watch in the grand lucky draw. The watch was up for grabs as a hole-in-one prize from the first qualifying round but since there were no takers, it snowballed as a grand lucky draw prize for the grand finale. Over 1,100 Maxis customers competed in the 10 qualifying rounds that began in April and ended in the middle of October. The sponsors of the Maxis Team Golf Tour are Huawei, Astro, Brightstar, Hewlett Packard, Nokia Siemens Networks and Patimas. The Tour, enjoying its 12th successive season, is supported by Titoni, Pharmaton, Sunplay, Gatorade, Carlsberg and Naza Malaysia who put up a Sorento SUV as a hole-in-one in all the 10 legs.

RAJAH BROOKE TROPHY

High-flying Amin triumphs

round of 77 was enough for Mohd Amin Haris to emerge victorious over 79 other competitors in Nilai Springs Golf & Country Club’s Rajah Brooke Trophy on December 15.

Amin finished two strokes clear of fellow five-handicapper Abdul Rahman Haron while the trio of Alex Yap, Shin Bo Hyun and Amiruddin Ali were tied for third on 80. The nett division was equally close with Nabil Sanusi (10) emerging triumphant by a slim oneshot advantage over Nasser Mahmood (13) with a score of 71.

PRESIDENT’S TROPHY Chen clinches President’s title

elab Rahman Putra Malaysia feted children from The Agathians Shelter to a post-Deepavali luncheon during its President’s Trophy last month. The club’s general committee led by its president Arthur Wang and club captain MK Chua presented groceries and other items to the caretakers of the shelter home gave

away goody bags as well as money packets to excited kids. A total of 99 players participated in the contest with Chen Qui Fat and Chan Heng Voen tied for the lead after matching rounds of five-over 77. Chen was declared the winner on countback with Jack Loi, who shot a round 78 finishing third.

PULAI SPRINGS RESORT CLUB CHAMPIOSHIP

Bell ends decade-long wait

en-handicapper Steven Bell carded rounds of 81 and 78 to claim the Pulai Springs Resort Club Championship recently. He totalled 159 over the two-day contest held at the Melana and Pulai courses to clinch the top

prize, eight strokes ahead of Wong Chen Keang (7). Meanwhile, Leow Mee Yek, playing off a handicap of seven garnered a two-day score of 178 (93-85) to emerge the club’s lady champion for the fourth year running.