The fickle hand of fate that guided India’s Rahil Gangee through the first three rounds of the PKNS Selangor Masters wavered today, but he was able to hold on to secure a dramatic wire-to-wire finish against an onslaught of his younger competitors.

His five-shot lead going into the final round in overcast conditions disappeared within a matter of holes as he was unable to find the form that had bewitched the field since round one. With three bogeys in his first nine, and another to match on hole 10, he soon found himself neck and neck with Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong in an old fashioned duel to the finish.

And with local rising star Marcus Lim and Australia’s Deyen Lawson breathing down their necks just one shot behind at Kelab Golf Seri Selangor, both knew that the slightest slip could prove fatal in the US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event, the fourth tournament of the year.

Fortunately for Gangee, the clouds finally parted. He was able to craft a birdie on the par-three hole 12, and that brief glimpse of sunshine was enough to get his game back in gear. A second birdie followed, with another two holes later, and by the time he reached the 17th tee, Runchanapong had dropped away and only Lawson was left, two shots behind.

And how quickly those two shots vanished. Gangee (73) was only able to manage a bogey while Lawson’s birdie meant the pair were heading down the final fairway with just one shot between them. And yet, after all that, the pair were only able to bogey the 18th and Gangee was finally able to breathe easily with the win secured (272) and Lawson (69) in solo second.

“Having a five-shot lead has got its own challenges. You think it’s going to be easy, but there are certain nerves that show up that you don’t expect … and they definitely showed up on a golf course like this!

“Having said that, I think also I had a good head on my shoulders today. I just kept it down and kept going through. Played one shot at a time and kept believing in myself,” said Gangjee.

Gangjee paid tribute to his wife, Ruhi, who caddied for him throughout the week. “My wife, Ruhi, she’s basically been a rock to me. She keeps putting positive thoughts into my head and that’s what basically helped me win.”

“I lost my Asian Tour card last year, went to Q-School and didn’t get it back. I wasn’t really in the best shape. I have been playing well back home and am now ranked number three in the Order of Merit, but my goal is to get my Asian Tour card back via the ADT. This win is a great stepping stone,” noted Gangjee.

Lawson was stoic in defeat, although the missed putt on the 18th obviously stung.

“I hit a really good putt, but just misread it. It’s a tricky pin and just so hard to get to, but I think everyone would have struggled with it. It’s a good result in the end, I finished second,” said the 33-year-old, who also finished runner-up in 2023 jointly with Runchanapong.

Runchanapong (69), two under at the turn after three birdies and a bogey, was unable to maintain the charge and a double on the par-four 16th hold put paid to his chances.

“I got off to a pretty good start and then kept the momentum going, but didn’t have many chances for birdies on the back nine. But I double bogeyed 16, which cost me the tournament. Even so, everything feels good. I’m playing solid golf right now and am excited for the next few events,” Runchanapong said.

For Lim (69), playing in his first tournament as a professional, his performance gave a glimpse in what could be a great future in the world of golf. Despite two early bogeys, he recovered well to make the turn in one-under-par. A birdie on 13 moved him closer but he also fell foul of the 18th hole, and his bogey there meant he shared third place with Runchanapong.

Lim was elated with his performance and noted that he learnt a lot this week. “I definitely learnt a lot about myself, how to carry myself on the golf course and a lot about my game. It’s been a great week because I played with a lot of experienced players. This gives me a lot of confidence going into the rest of 2024.”

Lim moved up to 12th place on the ADT Order of Merit with the USD11,025 cheque he received for finishing joint third. The 22-year-old also pocketed a RM10,000 bonus as the leading Malaysian, with Paul San the next best local player in joint seventh on one-under-par 279 (70, 71, 68, 70).

“I have a lot of respect for all the other Malaysian pros. They’re all great players and I think I just got lucky this week. A lot of them have given me good advice since turning professional,” said Lim.

Poosit Suprapramai (66) of Thailand posted the only bogey free round of the day, his four birdies helping into a share of fifth spot alongside compatriot Sarut Vongchaisit (71).

In seventh place Malaysia’s Paul San (70) finished alongside Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto (71), trailed by fellow Thai Danthai Boonma who posted a 64 to take the low round of the day and a share of ninth spot, alongside Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (70) and Siddikur Rahman (69) of Bangladesh, who bucked the bogey trend at the difficult par four 18th by holing out from the fairway for a closing eagle.

India’s Rahil Gangee continued his blistering return to form at the PKNS Selangor Masters today, posting a three-under-par 67 to take a five shot lead going into the final day.

Recovering from injury and regaining strength and speed with every round, Gangee shrugged off two early bogeys and went on a run of five birdies in eight holes to cement his hold on the tournament.

Playing at Kelab Golf Seri Selangor, the US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event has proved a challenge for the majority of the field, with most of the contenders unable to sustain any momentum in day three.

Instead it was up to Australia’s Deyen Lawson, playing three groups behind the leaders, who was able to step up, posting a bogey-free 64 to clinch the low round of the day and take solo second place on six under par.

“I’m very happy with the round today,” said Lawson after posting his score. “It’s a very strong golf course so any time I do that I’m always happy.

“Everything was pretty solid,” he said when asked if he had done anything different for his round. “You have got to hit it really straight here and your distance control has got to be on,” he added.

Rising Malaysian star Marcus Lim (71), playing in his first professional tournament, was unable to exploit his knowledge of the course, posting three early bogeys before he was able to get his round back on track, eventually finishing at one over par for a share of third place alongside Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong (66).

Sarut Vongchaisit (69) of Thailand holds solo fifth spot on three under par, followed by compatriot Kosuke Hamamoto (72) one shot further back in sixth and the Malaysian duo of Paul San (68) in seventh spot and Shahriffuddin Ariffin (71) in eighth on even par.

Siddkur Rahman (70) of Bangladesh and Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (68) share ninth spot, ahead of Dodge Kemmer (72) of the USA, Malaysia’s Amir Nazrin (73) and Poosit Suprapramai (71) of Thailand in 11th place.

In 14th place, on three over par, lie Thailand’s Witchayapat Sinsrang (72) and Ekpharit Wu (73), Malaysia’s Fakhrul Akmal (70) and James Leow (75) of Singapore.

Main pic: India’s Rahil Gangee pictured in action at the PKNS Selangor Masters. The US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at Kelab Seri Selangor from June 19-23, 2024. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

India’s Rahil Gangee once again showed his prowess around Kelab Golf Seri Selangor course, posting a second round of 66 to take a two shot lead into the final rounds at the PKNS Selangor Masters.

The Indian veteran has recently returned from injury and is showing a determined return to form at the US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event with a five birdie, one bogey score to match his opening day tally.

His eight-under-par total leads the field by two shots ahead of Malaysia’s Marcus Lim (66), and a further two shots in front of Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto (66), all three posting the low score of the day.

Despite already challenging for the lead, rising Malaysian star Marcus Lim was circumspect about the first 36 holes of his professional career.

Malaysia’s Marcus Lim pictured in action at the PKNS Selangor Masters. The US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at Kelab Seri Selangor from June 19-23, 2024. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

“Honestly I’m just happy with the way I’ve played over the past two days,” he said after his round. “It was a bit of a grind but I definitely hit it a lot better today. I know the course and can plot myself around here, I think that’s the key to playing here.

“Tomorrow I’m just going to stick to the same game plan, it seems to be working. Be aggressive when I can and play conservatively when I have to,” he added.

In fourth place, the Thai duo of Sarun Sirithon (67) and Sarut Vongchaisit (68) were joined by Singapore’s James Leow (69), one of the late finishers who struggled with low light conditions at the end of the day.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong (72) and Nopparat Panichphol (69) share seventh place going into the final two rounds with Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (70) and Amir Nazrin (72).

in 11th spot, on even par, Australia’s Deyen Lawson (71) and Jared Edwards (71) are joined by Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu (69) and Dodge Kemmer of the USA (72).

At one over par in a share of 15th place are Thailand’s Poosit Suprapramai, Tawit Polthai and Witchayapat Sinsrang, Paul San of Malaysia, Singapore’s Marc Ong, Michael Herrera of the USA and Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh.

Despite better weather than yesterday, the challenging Selangor course gave no quarter to the field today, with every player enduring the penalty of at least one bogey in their round.

The cut was made at four over par and 51 players will continue into the final two rounds. Play will resume at 7.45am tomoorow with the final group teeing of at 9.13am.

Indian veteran Rahil Gangee ground out a one shot lead in the first round of the PKNS Selangor Masters, with seven birdies and three bogeys in his four-under-par score illustrating the challenging nature of the Kelab Seri Selangor course.

He leads by one shot in the rain-delayed tournament, heading local favourite Amir Nazrin who posted three birdies to claim second spot. He was joined by Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong who finished late in the day.

“I’m feeling very tired right now,” said Gangee after his round, “It’s hot out here, it’s sweaty, but I’m happy.

“I haven’t been playing much, “ he said. “I had an injury on my intercostal muscle and had to just sit around for a month and a bit. When I got back to it, there was no speed, no strength and last week was a struggle for me just to walk around. This week seems a little bit better, speed’s come back” he added.

“I’ve played this golf course before and there are good memories,” he explained. “I know where to miss it and what the putts do, so all in all, a good day.”

Malaysia’s Syahiran Syakir pictured in action at the PKNS Selangor Masters. The US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at Kelab Seri Selangor from June 19-23, 2024. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

Play was suspended due to adverse weather at 3.57 pm, and the wait for the greens to dry sufficiently on holes 13 and 18 meant play was unable to resume until 5.30pm at the US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event.

In fourth place in the clubhouse were Malaysia’s Syahiran Syakir, Marcus Lim and Casper Loh, Dodge Kemmer and Michael Herrera of the USA and Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat on two under par.

Still on course at close of play with the same score was Australia’s Jared Edwards, who had two holes to go when play was suspended at 7.29pm due to bad light. Play will resume at 7.30am tomorrow.

In 11th place, on one under par and finished for the day, were Thailand’s Witchayapat Sinsrang and Sangchai Kaewcharoen, Daeng Rahman of Malaysia and Singapore’s James Leow.

Looking to complete their rounds in the morning and currently on one under par were Order of Merit leader Ahmad Baig of Pakistan, who won last week’s event in Vietnam, Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin, winner here in 2022, and Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, Amarin Kraivixien and Tanapat Pichaikool.

Main pic: India’s Rahil Gangee pictured in action at the PKNS Selangor Masters. The US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at Kelab Seri Selangor from June 19-23, 2024. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

The cream of the Asian Development Tour will lock horns with Malaysia’s top golfers in the 11th edition of the PKNS Selangor Masters, which tees off on June 19-22 at Kelab Golf Seri Selangor.

Jointly sanctioned by the ADT and Malaysia’s domestic Toyota Tour, the PKNS Selangor Masters is promoted by PKNS Golf Management Services which is a subsidiary of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS). PKNS has been the title sponsor of the event since 2022.

With a handsome prize fund of USD175,000, the PKNS Selangor Masters will have a significant impact on the ADT’s Order of Merit, where the top 10 players at the end of the season will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for 2025.

“With such a strong and talented field, I am sure that golf fans will be in for some scintillating action as the top golfers from across the region face off against Malaysia’s best players. We have also allocated spots for promising amateurs and juniors, including the winner of the Selangor International Junior Golf Championship, and I hope they learn as much as they can from competing with professional golfers in a tour event,” said Dato’ Haji Haris Bin Kasim, the Secretary of the Selangor State Government.

Last week’s Selangor International Junior Golf Championship, also played at Seri Selangor, was won by 16-year-old Shiyun Jin of China. “I’m really looking forward to playing in the PKNS Selangor Masters as I’ll be going up against the professionals,” said Jin.

2023 champion Ho Yu-cheng of Chinese Taipei will be back to defend the title he narrowly won last year, when he finished with an even-par 280 total for a one-shot victory over Australia’s Deyen Lawson and Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong. Both Lawson and Runchanapong are in the field as well.

Ho is looking forward to returning to Seri Selangor, which he names as one of his favourite courses. “It’s great to be going back to Seri Selangor and Malaysia. I can’t wait to play the golf course again, and hopefully I can achieve a good result this year.” said the 26-year-old.

Current ADT Order of Merit leader Ahmad Baig of Pakistan will be carrying great form into the week as he attempts to win for the third time in 2024. The 25-year-old has triumphed twice in Vietnam this season, at the season-opening Lexus Challenge and the recent Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters.

Filipino stalwart Angelo Que, who won the Selangor Masters in 2010 when it was an Asian Tour event, is also in the field.

Among the top local contenders is Ervin Chang, who finished joint eighth last year to pocket the RM10,000 bonus as leading Malaysian. The bonus is being offered again this year to incentivise the local players.

Both Ho (3rd place) and Chang (10th place) finished in the top 10 on the final 2023 ADT Order of Merit, thereby earning playing rights on this year’s lucrative Asian Tour.

The field of 144 players features the leading 77 available players from the ADT and 40 from the domestic Toyota Tour, with the remaining 27 spots allocated for tournament invitations.

“The PKNS Selangor Masters is definitely one of the most popular stops on the ADT. With its lucrative prize fund, the tournament is a significant stepping stone for the stars of tomorrow as they seek to further their careers. Our players enjoy testing their skills on the Seri Selangor course, which is one of the most challenging on the ADT schedule, and the fabulous Malaysian hospitality accorded to them during the week,” said Ken Kudo, the General Manager of the ADT.

“We would like to thank our esteemed title sponsor, PKNS, the Selangor State Government and Seri Selangor for their support, and for sharing our vision to grow golf in the region,” he added.

Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, the Selangor Masters has seen two local winners with Ben Leong triumphing in the second edition and Shahriffuddin Ariffin emerging victorious in 2022, both times at Seri Selangor. Coming off an impressive joint runner-up finish at the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters, Shahriffuddin will be in confident mood as he seeks a second win in the event.

Other Malaysians to look out for include Galven Green, who has won twice locally already this year to take his Toyota Tour title tally to three, and Paul San who has triumphed once on the local circuit in 2024. Green was joint fourth at the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters while San finished T19. Asian Tour winners Danny Chia and Nicholas Fung are also in the field.

Local attention will also focus on newly minted professionals Marcus Lim and Khavish Varadan. Lim won on the Toyota Tour as an amateur in 2023, while Khavish finished as best Malaysian in T13 place at the Asian Tour’s IRS Prime Malaysian Open earlier this year after holding the joint halfway lead.

There will be a total of 59 Malaysians in the mix at Seri Selangor, including seven amateurs in Nateeshvar Anatha Ganesh, Rizq Adam Rohizam, Zia Iqmal Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Danial, Lam Kong Foo, Putra Huzaireil Khan and Roslan Piei.

The challenging Seri Selangor course will once again play as a par-70 layout, with the par-five fifth and the par-five 18th holes converted to long par-fours for the tournament. Crafted by Australian architect Ross Watson, the popular public course opened for play in 1998 and has received much acclaim for its strategic design and speedy greens.