Bandung, Indonesia, September 27: Japan’s Ryuichi Oiwa captured his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title after he beat American Trevor Simsby in a dramatic second hole playoff victory to claim the Combiphar Players Championship on Friday.

Simsby had led by two shots coming into the final round, but Oiwa who started the day in second, posted the lowest score of the day with a six-under-par 66 to tie Simsby for a four-day total of 12-under-par 276.

It was all square after 18-holes, and playoffs beckoned to decide the winner. After both golfers made par on the first playoff hole, Simsby bogeyed the second hole, leaving Oiwa to make par and clinch a momentous triumph.

Englishman Steve Lewton finished in third courtesy of a 67, while Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-lun was in fourth after he posted a 70.

Korea’s Joohyung Kim was among a trio of golfers who finished in tied-fifth thanks to a solid round of 67, along with Thai duo Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (69) and Jakraphan Premsirigorn (73).

Oiwa admitted he felt immense pressure heading into the playoffs, but kept his focus when it mattered most.

“It was a pressure situation for sure. But I knew it was all about the putting, and I needed to concentrate. Overall, I missed only one fairway and made six birdies. I was confident with my tee shots and second shots,” said Oiwa, who pocketed US$17,500 for the victory.

The world number 1233 also said he did not change his approach for this tournament, except for the use of  a new putter.

Oiwa, who began on the last flight with Simsby, found two consecutive birdies on the third and fourth before claiming another on the sixth hole.

He began the back-nine with two consecutive birdies, and sank a crucial one in the final hole to force the playoffs.

Victory also puts the Japanese seventh on the Order of Merit (OOM) list, which offers a final spot to the Asian Tour next year.

“I hope to play in another two more tournaments this year to secure my Asian Tour card. I will be playing in the Taifong Open in December, and possibly another event in Malaysia.”

Simsby, who led the second and third round, said his putting let him down.

“Overall my putting wasn’t the greatest, and there were a lot of missed opportunities. But it was a good battle with him out there, and I had a lot of fun,” said Simsby, who was seeking his first win in Asia.

The OOM standings has also changed, with Kim replacing Japan’s Naoki Sekito at the top after his solid finish.

The Korean leads the money list with his accumulated earnings of US$45,444 so far.

Bandung, Indonesia, September 26: American Trevor Simsby increased his lead at the Combiphar Players Championship by two shots, after carding a two-under-par 70 at the penultimate stage on Thursday.

Simsby managed four birdies against two bogeys for a three-day total of eight-under-par 208 on a day where the gusty winds at the  Parahyangan Golf proved to be another real test for the field.

Japan’s Ryuichi Oiwa tailed Simsby by two shots in second place while Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn and Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-lun are a further three shots back are in the tied-third, after  the trioshot matching 71s.

Malaysia’s promising youngster Shahrifuddin Ariffin (70) meanwhile shared fifth place with American Sam Gillis (71).

The 26-year-old Simsby, who led by one shot coming into Thursday’s round, reckons patience is a key virtue as he aims for his first title in Asia.

“It’s very tricky with the winds here, and you have to be really patient with your approach on this course. The aim is to get the ball as close to the par-fives as much as possible,” said Simsby, who posted matching 69s in the opening two rounds.

“I was looking at birdies on the front nine, but it was a tough test on the back to finish.”

Simsby has come close to a maiden victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) circuit, with two tied-fourth finishes at the PGM ADT Penang Championship and PGM Northport ADT Championship.

Englishman Steve Lewton, who posted 68 for the lowest score of the day, said the wind is a barrier as only 26 golfers made par in the US$100,000 ADT event on Thursday.

“It’s a tough course with the winds. You have to hit it really close to the greens to have a chance. But I’m hoping for the wind tomorrow as it suits my game,” said Lewton, who was tied for seventh with Malaysia’s Amir Nazrin.

Lewton will be hoping for another low round as he aims to make it to the Asian Tour next year.

He is currently in seventh place on the Order of Merit (OOM), which is the last position to offer a spot on the Asian Tour.

Korea’s Joohyung Kim, the highest ranked player in second place on the OOM, carded a 71 to sit tied-16.

Bandung, Indonesia, September 25: American Trevor Simsby posted a second straight three-under-par 69 to grab a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Combiphar Players Championship on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Simsby carded seven birdies against four bogeys to move atop the leaderboard with a two-day total of six-under-par 138 at the wind-swept Parahyangan Golf.

Japan’s Ryuichi Oiwa marked the day’s best score with a 68 to take second place on a tough scoring day where only nine players broke par in the US$100,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.  

Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn and Wang Wei-lun of Chinese Taipei settled four shots off the pace in  tied-third place following  respective scores of 71 and 73.

Malaysian Amir Nazrin battled to a 70 to sit in fifth place alongside  Sam Gillis (73) of United States, Englishman Matt Killen (71) and Singapore’s Jesse Yap (73) on matching 143s.

“I was feeling confident out there today. I was also fortunate because there wasn’t much wind when I teed off, compared to the opening round when it was really windy in the afternoon,” said Simsby, who started the day trailing by two.

“I didn’t get off to the greatest of starts, but I’m glad to have bounced back nicely. You need to be patient on a new course like this, it can be tricky and not the way you look at it. The fairways and bunker were perfect though,” added the 26-year-old Qualifying School graduate.

Simsby, playing in his first season in Asia, is thrilled to put himself on course to win his first victory on the secondary circuit.

He has come close on several occasions, finishing tied-fourth at the PGM ADT Penang Championship and PGM Northport ADT Championship.

Overnight leader Brandon Lau of Malaysia posted a disappointing 83 to slip to tied-40^th place which Korea’s Joohyung Kim, highest-ranked player in second place on the Order of Merit, carded a 75 to tie in 27^th position.

The halfway cut was set at eight-over-par 152 with a total of 54 players progressing to the weekend rounds.

Ends.

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, September 21:  Malaysia’s Leunkwang Kim clinched his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the PGM MNRB ADT Championship after closing with a four-under-par 68 to win by one shot over compatriot Daeng Abdul Rahman and American Samuel Cyr on Saturday.

Kim, who opened his campaign with a 69, marked his card with seven birdies against three bogeys to seal his victory with a winning total of seven-under-par 137 in the tournament, which has been reduced to 36 holes after two days of play was lost due to the haze conditions in Kuching on Thursday and Friday.

Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam posted a closing 69 to finish two shots away from Kim in fourth, followed by Malaysia’s M. Sasidaran (69) in fifth.

Singaporean Gregory Foo, Low Khai Jei of Malaysia, Korea’s Hyukchul Shin and Australian Adam Blyth finished tied-sixth on matching 141s following respective rounds of 69,71,71 and 70 at the Kelab Golf Sarawak.

The 24-year-old Kim was left finding for words after his victory.

“I never expected it to be honest, I’m still trying to take it in,” said Kim, who pockets RM39, 375 (US$9,397) for the win.

“I had fun out there. I hit the ball good, stayed patient and played my own game. I bogeyed 16 and 17, but birdied the last hole so it was nice. It was still hazy out there but I didn’t wear a mask because it would have affected my game.”

Kim also becomes the first Malaysian to win on the ADT circuit this year, and provide some saving grace for his countrymen.

Since the ADT inception in 2010, there has always been at least one Malaysian winner on the circuit every season

Kim did not have the best of starts, as he bogeyed the opening hole. But the Malaysian recovered with a birdie on the third, before sinking an eagle on the par-five fifth hole.

He kept going with another three birdies on the back nine and did not let the consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 bother him as he bounced back with a closing birdie on 18.

Daeng, who opened up a four-shot on lead with a solid 65 on Wednesday, was distraught after battling to a 73 to let the title slip away.

“I have never won an ADT event and was really looking forward to winning this. But it is difficult when you made four bogeys out there,” said Daeng.

Ends.

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, September 18: Local star Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz launched his relentless bid for a maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory when he fired a seven-under-par 65 to grab the opening round lead at the PGM MNRB ADT Championship on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old, who came in tied-fourth at the PGM Johor ADT Championship in March for his career-best ADT result, marked his card with nine birdies against two bogeys to lead by four shots from Seung Park of Korea and countryman Leungkwang Kim at the Kelab Golf Sarawak.

Thai trio Panuwat Muenlek, Namchok Tantipokhakul and Suttijet Kooratanapisan were among those bunched in fourth place after carding matching 70s at the RM225,000 (approximately US$54,000) event.

Starting the day from the 10th hole, Daeng got off to a flying start when he notched five birdies, including a four-hole stretch from the 12th to offset two bogeys to turn in 33.

He resumed his fine form on his return journey, picking up for more shots including a hat-trick of birdies from the fifth, to open up a comfortable four-shot cushion.

Daeng, who registered top-20 finishes in his last two ADT starts, credited his low round to a brilliant iron play.

“I’m hitting the ball good, especially my approach shots as I managed to hit it really close to the pins, mostly about 10 feet.

“I putted quite well too. I managed to roll in a birdie from more than 20 feet on 12, which was massive because it made up for the bogey on the previous hole.

“I didn’t think that was going in to be honest, so it kind of boosted my confidence and kickstart the day. I got four straight birdies after that, and although I bogeyed again on 17, it was still a very solid opening nine.

“Four more birdies and bogey-free after crossing over, I’m absolutely pleased,” said Daeng.

Daeng, who has won three times in the domestic scene with the last being at the PGM Perlis Championship in January, hopes to build on the early advantage to help him stamp his mark on the secondary circuit, which is the gateway to the Asian Tour.

“I have won three PGM Tour titles to date but those are closed events.

“So it’s certainly my ambition to win on ADT and I’m looking to make the most of this good start to get me there. I believe I have what it takes to win on ADT having finished fourth in Johor in April.

“But there are three more rounds to go, a lot of golf left to be played. I’m not going to get carried away with the opening round lead,” said Daeng, who created history by becoming the youngest winner on the PGM Tour, at 15, in April 2015.

The PGM MNRB ADT Championship, jointly sanctioned with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, is the 14th leg of the 2019 ADT season and also the Tour’s seventh stop in Malaysia.

The ADT will continue to reward the top-seven finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2020.

Like all other ADT events, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are up for grabs this week, which will be key for players vying to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year.

Ends.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, September 14: Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden survived a nerve-racking finale before ending a three-year title drought with a third Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory at the PGM Sabah ADT Championship on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Swede was a bundle of nerves as he battled to a final round of five-over-par 77 to finish on eight-under-par 280 total at the Sabah Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

Zetterwallwon by just one shot from last year’s Malaysian champion Ben Leong, who closed with a 71, as Erwan Vieilledent of France settled for third place, a further shot back on 282 after matching Leong’s effort.

Zetterwall headed into the final round with a commanding seven-shot lead but made three bogeys and two double bogeys in the first 11 holes which almost denied him his first success since winning the 2016 Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Jakarta.

A double bogey on 11 saw his lead trimmed to just one shot, but Zetterwall managed to regroup and steady the ship in the last seven holes to seal the long-awaited win.

“I started off missing some wild shots off the tee in the beginning but I recovered okay until I made the bogey on seven.

“As my playing partners Ben and Erwan were making lots of birdies, I was missing my par putts.

“In the back nine, I started to play a little bit better. I made a good putt (for par) on 16 which was absolutely important for me to reclaim the two shots lead there.

“Then on (par-five) 18, it was a big relief that I was able to hit my second shot onto the green and three putted it for a one-shot victory,” said Zetterwall, who picked up RM39,375 (US$9,397 )and an invaluable six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for his effort.

Zetterwall admitted there was one point, after double bogeying the 11, that he thought that the title could slip through his grasp.

“On 11, I had a terrible tee shot and missed the green. Hit my bunker shot to like five feet but it lipped out for a double bogey. Ben and Erwan both made good par saves.

“I didn’t feel really comfortable at that point. Nothing seemed to be working, I was hitting bad shots, missing short putts, while Ben and Erwan were playing solid.

“Eventhough I shot a five-over, I’m pleased that I manage to keep it together on my last five holes,” said Zetterwall.

The victory swiftly put Zetterwall’s bid to earn an Asian Tour card by finishing in top-seven on the Order of Merit back on track.

He is now ranked 15th on the money list with US$12,845 earned from seven starts.

“I didn’t play really good in the early season and went back home to play in the Nordic Golf League (a third-tier circuit in Europe) to regain my form. The plans worked great and I feel like I found the stability in my game which I hope to build on it on my return to Asia.

“Now I’m looking forward to playing in all the ADT tournaments left in the schedule because it has always been my goal to regain my Asian Tour card (which he lost in 2017 after playing just one season).

“I believe there is still every chance of me getting into the top-seven, now that my confidence has been restored,” said Zatterwall.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, September 13: Overnight leader Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden continued to dominate when he fired a flawless five-under-par 67 on Friday to take a commanding seven-shot lead into the final round of the PGM Sabah ADT Championship.

The 31-year-old carded five birdies and extended his lead to 13-under-par 203,putting himself in prime position to secure his third Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory at the Sabah Golf and Country Club.

Local hotshot Ben Leong returned to form by registering a 66 to sit in second place with also a mathematical chance of defending his title while Frenchman Erwan Vieilledent stayed another shot behind in third afterbattling to a 73.

Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai posted a 75 to be placed fourth on a 213 total, one shot ahead of Japan’s Naoki Sekito who sparkled with a 66 to boost his chances of cementing his prime position atop the Order of Merit with a good finish.

Zetterwall, who tasted his last ADT victory at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Jakarta three year ago, wasted no time in building on his two-shot cushion with birdies on the second and fourth holes.

He then gained three more shots in his first next four holes after making the turn before holding steady to keep a bogey-free scorecard.

Zetterwall credited his hot putter for the impressive display apart from the par-save he made at the eventful seventh hole which kept his momentum going.

“I putted really good today. I made many good putts but it was the par-save I made on seven which was certainly the biggest putt I made today.

“I hit a driver on the wrong fairway as I had to hook my second shot around the tree and I almost went into the water.

“I didn’t chip it very good, it landed about 30 feet but I made that par! That was massive because it kind of kept me going a little bit and allowed me to stay in momentum,” said Zetterwall.

Despite being seven shots ahead, Zetterwall said he is taking nothing for granted.

“This is a new situation for me. I have never held this kind of lead heading into the final round before.

“Seven shots is a lot of shots but on this difficult golf course, if you hit it to the wrong spot you can lose those shots pretty quickly.

“It’s obviously a good lead but there’s still 18 holes to play. Of course I’m going to be nervous but I will tell myself to stay patient if things go wrong. It is important to take one hole at a time and keep executing good shots,” said the Swede.

The winner of the PGM Sabah ADT Championship will take home RM39,375 and receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

With the Olympic Games looming in 2020, the OWGR points offered through ADT could boost the players in their quest to earn their spots in Tokyo.

The PGM Sabah ADT Championship is one of the nine tournaments jointly sanctioned by the Malaysia’s PGM Tour. It is the 13th stop on the ADT schedule this season.

The ADT will reward the top-seven finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2020.

Ends.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, September 12: Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall soared into the lead after signing for successive four-under-par 68 at the halfway stage of the PGM Sabah ADT Championship on Thursday.

Starting the day two shots back, Zetterwall fired five birdies against a lone bogey to lead by two shots with his two-day total of eight-under-par 136 at the Sabah Golf and Country Club.

Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai signed for a 67 to join overnight French leader Erwan Vieilledent in a tied for second place while Korean Joohyung Kim sits three further shots back in fourth after battling to a 73 at the RM225,000 event, which is the 13^th stop of this season’s Asian Development Tour.

Unheralded U-minn Woon of Malaysia failed to follow up on his superb opening 68 and could only muster a 75, but it was still good enough for him to remain as the beat-placed local in joint fifth with Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng of Thailand and Sam Lee of Fiji on matching 143s.

Zetterwall, who teed off from the 10^th hole, left it late to pick up his first two birdies on 16 and 18 to turn in 36 before bogeying on the second for his only blemish of the day. The dropped shot, however, did not dampen his spirit as he bounced back to finish in style with three birdies on five, six and nine.

 “I drove the ball really good from the tee which is important on this course and also put myself in the right position on the green.

“I could not have asked for a better finish with three birdies in the last five holes. It was quite windy towards the end but I still managed to his some good shots.

“The birdie on the par-three fifth was the highlight of the day. I hit it to about eight feet from the pin with a seven-iron. It’s one of the toughest holes,” said Zetterwall.

Zetterwall aims to ride on the good momentum thus far in a bid to end his dreadful three-year title drought.

In 2016, he won two titles – the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic in Indonesia and ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic in the Philippines – to mark his career-best third place outing in the final Order of Merit standings.

The solid effort earned him a promotion to the Asian Tour the following year but it lasted only a season.

“I’m hitting the driver really well on this tight course. It suits my game. If I keep doing that, I’ll definitely have a chance in the weekend.

“It’s been three year since I last won in Jakarta. It would be great if I could finally win again,” added Zetterwall, who finished joint runner-up at the PGM Maybank Championship last year.

The halfway cut was set at nine-over-parwith a total of 51 players advancing into the final two rounds.

All ADT events offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

The top-seven finishers on the final Order of Merit will secure their Asian Tour cards for 2020.

Ends.