Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, September 11: Frenchman Erwan Vieilledent opened up a two-shot lead at the PGM Sabah Asian Development Tour (ADT) Championship after he shot a commendable six-under-par 66 on Wednesday.

Vieilledent is trailed closely by a chasing pack that includes recent ADT winner Joohyung Kim of Korea, Fiji’s Sam Lee, Swedish Oscar Zetterwall and Malaysian U-Minn Woon, who all shot 68.

Erwan’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-five sixth hole, which he described “helped greatly” under sweltering conditions at the Sabah Golf and Country Club.

“I had some good shots on the fairways. That eagle and a couple of birdies (six) helped greatly too. It was challenging out there, especially with the heat. The greens are also firm which makes it a bit more difficult, but overall I’m pleased with my round today,” said Vieilledent.

Vieilledent will be hoping to rekindle some of the form which earned him a career best finish in the east of Malaysia four years ago.

The world number 2066 had finished second at the Sarawak Championship in 2015 which propelled him to a top-900 rank.

But Vieilledent has a long journey ahead of him, especially with Kim chasing a back-to-back title after lifting the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament last month.

Kim had a bogey-free round that included two birdies on the second and 15^th holes, as well as a closing eagle on 18^th.

Another good performance in Sabah will edge him closer to his hopes of topping the Order of Merit at the end of the season.

“The main goal is to finish high on the Merit list, but first I must continue to produce the goods. Today was a good day as I was hitting well from the fairways to the greens,” said Kim.

“My stroke game was also good, and it needs to be on a course like this where the greens are firm. I did well with my irons and am hoping for the same tomorrow. Of course, the lower the score the better.”

Kim is currently second behind Japan’s Naoki Sekita on the Order of Merit, thanks to a current haul of US$41,228.

Further down the leaderboard, defending champion Ben Leong sits tied-seventh after he managed a 71.

2017 ADT Order of Merit winner Pannakorn Uthaipas and Sekito meanwhile are four shots off the pace after returning with matching 72s.

The PGM Sabah ADT Championship offers a total prize purse of RM225,000.

Ends.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, September 10:  Malaysia’s rising star Shahriffudin Ariffin is supremely confident of ending his country’s barren title run in the 2019 Asian Development Tour (ADT) season when he competes at the PGM Sabah ADT Championship (September 11-14) which starts on Wednesday.

After 12 events this year, there is yet to be a Malaysian winner but young Shahriffudin has been going great guns with two top-10 finishes in his last four tournaments on the ADT.

The 20-year-old was the best local finisher at the PGM Northport ADT Championship a fortnight ago, and he is looking to take that form to the Sabah Golf and Country Club.

“I am confident of winning this tournament because my form is good at the moment. The last time I won was also around this period, so I am feeling good about my chances,” said Shahriffudin.

“I know the course (Sabah Golf and Country Club) well, having already played there three times.

It is a challenging course that you must be familiar with to thrive in. My goal is to go out there   and make as many birdies as possible.”

Shahriffudin is also the last Malaysian to triumph on the ADT circuit, when he edged Nicholas Fung to win the PGM Labuan Championship 2018.

The world number 663, who won despite playing with a stiff neck, is planning to use the PGM Sabah ADT Championship to take a step closer to his dream of playing at the 2020 Olympics.

“I have been playing in a lot of ADT events to earn world ranking points in hopes of making it to the Tokyo Olympics. I am some way behind to make that cut, but with several victories nothing is impossible,” said the Malaysian.

Shahriffudin is also looking to secure an Asian Tour card by finishing in the top-seven on the Order of Merit. He is currently ranked 19^th on the money list after a season haul of US$8,582.

But he will face resistance from defending champion Ben Leong, who has two top-10 finishes in as many ADT appearances this year.

Should Shahriffudin or Ben triumph, they will continue Malaysia’s legacy of always having at least one winner since the ADT inception in 2010.

Current Order of Merit leader Naoki Sekito of Japan will also aim to extend his lead on the money list when he tees off on Wednesday.

Korea’s Joohyung Kim, who clinched the Chiputra Golfpreneur Tournament on August 24, will also be aiming to seal back-to-back victories on the circuit.

Kimis right behind Naoki on the Order of Merit, with US$41,228 to his name on the money list.

Thailand’s Pannakorn Uthaipas and Singapore’s Quincy Quek are among the other notable names competing at the PGM Sabah ADT Championship which offers a total prize purse of RM225,000.

Ends.

Jakarta, Indonesia, September 4: The popular Combiphar Players Championship will move to the Parahyangan Golf in Bandung, Indonesia, when it returns for its fourth consecutive edition on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in September, officials announced today.

The picturesque course, designed by Bob Moore from the JMP Golf Design Group, is situated within the eco-city of Kota Baru Parahyangan, which is less than 10 miles west of Bandung, the third-largest city of Indonesia.

The Combiphar Players Championship will continue to offer a prize purse of US$100,000 when it gets underway at the Parahyangan Golf from September 24 to 27. It will be the ADT’s fourth stop in Indonesia this season.

The event, which was staged at the New Kuta Golf in Bali for the last two years, has welcomed worthy winners since its inception in 2016. Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat won the inaugural edition in Singapore while Wolmer Murillo of Venezuela was victorious in 2017.

Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij of Thailand became the first and only player to win twice in the 2018 season after emerging triumphant at the Combiphar Players Championship. He went on to finish third on the Merit rankings and earned his Asian Tour card for the 2019 season.

Hailed as one of the richest events on the schedule this season, the Combiphar Players Championship will be crucial in the race for the ADT Order of Merit title as well as the 2020 Asian Tour cards on offer for the leading seven players on the final money list.

Michael Wanandi, President Director of Combiphar, said, “We are very proud and happy to work with the Asian Development Tour again in organising this tournament. We are confident that the Combiphar Players Championship can further strengthen the company’s commitment, Championing a Healthy Tomorrow, in inspiring the Indonesian people to implement a healthy and active lifestyle to help create a healthier generation of Indonesia. “

In addition to providing competitive experience with international golfers in the country, the Combiphar Players Championship is also expected to help Indonesian professional golfers improve the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) ranking. “Furthermore, the international golf tournament which has entered its fourth year is expected to be a means to widen the opportunities for Indonesian golfers to gain points and improve international rankings. Thus, they can compete in the 2020 Olympics and make the nation proud, “continued Michael.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, lauded the outstanding support and commitment from Combiphar, who returns as the title sponsor of the Players Championship for the third successive year.

“We are very delighted to see the continuation of the Combiphar Players Championship on the ADT Schedule. Our members are thankful to Pak Michael Wanandi and Combiphar for their continuous support over the past few years. The tournament is always a save-the-date event on the ADT schedule with a fun and energetic atmosphere.”

“The Combiphar Players Championship’s move to a new venue highlights the abundance of qualify golf courses in Indonesia which is vital to the development on local players emerging onto the International stage,” Cho said.

By featuring on the ADT schedule, the Combiphar Players Championship will also offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive at least six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

Ends.

Jakarta, Indonesia, August 24:  Joohyung Kim of Korea overturned a five-shot deficit before going on to pip overnight leader Mardan Mamat in the playoff to claim his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic on Saturday.

The 17-year-old Kim calmly rolled in a four-foot birdie putt to beat Mardan on the first extra hole held on the par-five 18th to pocket the US$19,250 top prize that put himself back in the race for the ADT Order of Merit title.

The Korean had fired a flawless five-under-par 67 to force extra time with Mardan, who battled to a 72, after the duo was tied on 18-under-par 270 total in regulation play at the Damai Indah Golf (BSD Course).

Kim birdied four of his five holes starting from the fourth before picking a crucial birdie on the 18th to match Mardan’s effort.

Mardan, who had held an overnight five-shot lead, could only salvage a 72 after mixing three birdies with as many bogeys, which all came in the opening nine.

Kim was grinning from ear to ear after making up on his earlier disappointment in Indonesia, where he was forced to withdraw from the Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational supported by Nomura due to an injury three weeks ago.

“To be able to come back to Indonesia to win following my injury setback was really fulfilling.

“I had to withdraw from the Gunung Geulis event because of the pain I suffered in between my shoulder and back. I went back to Korea to seek treatment and do my rehab, I was really determined and motivated to get back on my feet ahead of the Ciputra event.

“But today, I certainly did not think I could win as Mardan was playing so well all week long. Being five shots behind is a mountain to climb and I just told myself to give my best shot,” said Kim.

Kim’s victory propelled him to second on the Order of Merit with season earnings of US$41,227.85, just about US$2,000 behind leader Naoki Sekito of Japan (US$43,900.20).

“Game on. With this win, I’m now back in the Order of Merit race and relishing a big battle with Naoki for the rest of the season,” he said.

Kim, who won his first ADT title at the PGM ADT Tiara Melaka in June, is now only one win shy from securing a direct promotion to the Asian Tour.

He has been in a sensational form since the start of the season. Apart from the two titles, he also boast five top-10 results under his belt.

Indonesian top amateur golfer Naarajie E. Ramadhan Putra upstaged his more illustrious compatriots to earn a dream Asian Tour appearance at the Panasonic Open Japan in 2020.

Naarajie closed with an impressive final round 66 to tie for ninth place for his best-ever outing on the ADT. It will be his maiden Asian Tour start outside Indonesia.

Co-sanctioned by the ADT and the Professional Golf Tour of Indonesia, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament 2019 presented by Panasonic will be the 11th leg of the 2019 ADT season and the third event to be played in Indonesia this year.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered for all ADT events. The winner will earn a total of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

Ends.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 24: Singapore’s Quincy Quek claimed his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title in seven years after firing a bogey-free 10-under-par 62 to edge Australia’s Adam Blyth by one shot for the PGM Northport ADT Championship on Saturday.

Quek, who came into the final round trailing Blyth by three shots, closed with a flawless round highlighted by 10 birdies to end the tournament with a winning total of 25-under-par 263 at the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.

Blyth was left to rue a missed opportunity for his first victory in Asia after registering a second straight 66 to take second place. Fiji’s Sam Lee finished seven shots back in third following a 67 while Shahriffuddin Ariffin (67) ended the tournament as the best local in tied-fourth, alongside American Trevor Simsby (69).

Two-time Asian Tour winner Danny Chia of Malaysia and 2017 ADT Order of Merit winner Pannakorn Uthaipas of Thailand carded respective rounds of 67 and 71 to sign off for tied-sixth place, 11 shots adrift off the champion.

Quincy, who claimed his breakthrough victory on the ADT in 2012 in the Philippines, said his long-awaited win was quite special.

“I was rolling the putts pretty well this week. But I came into this round knowing Adam will shoot at least a five (under-par), so I will have to shoot eight (under-par) and more to tie him,” said Quincy, who pocketed RM39, 375 courtesy of his second ADT win.

“The goal was to go out and get as many birdies out there. My game was good enough, and once you start rolling in the putts it takes the stress off the rest of my game.”

Quek was relentless as he aimed to make up ground on Blyth at the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.

The 32-year-old racked his first birdie on the second hole, before closing the front nine with a 32.

Quek upped the ante after the turn, sinking six birdies, including one on the final hole for the win.

The Singaporean now ranks 14 on the money list with US$11, 434.06.

Hyukchul Shin earned a distinction of firing a hole-in-one on the 150-meter par-three second hole on Saturday. The Korean would sign for an eventual 68 to finish 15 shots back of the winner in tied-10^th place.

“I saw the pin on the left side and I thought I would try my luck. I’m really pleased it went in!” said Hyukchul, who received a certificate of acknowledgment for his feat.

Ends.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 23: Australia’s Adam Blyth continued to lead the way after carding a third round six-under-par 66 to open up a three-shot lead over Singapore’s Quincy Quek at PGM Northport ADT Championship on Friday. 

Blyth came into the penultimate round as the overnight leader, holding a slender one-shot advantage, but put some daylight between him and Quek after firing five birdies and an eagle for a three-day total of 18-under-par 198.

Thailand’s Pannakorn Uthaipas, the 2017 ADT Order of Merit winner, signed for a 70 to share third place with first round leader Sam Lee of Fiji as they trail Blyth by five shots with their 203 total. 

Shahriffuddin Ariffin and Amir Nazrin are the highest placed locals heading into the final round in tied-sixth place together with Singapore’s Gregory Foo at the Asian Development Tour (ADT) event. 

Two-time ADT winner Danny Chia, meanwhile, sits nine shots off the lead in a share of ninth place that also includes compatriots Fakhrul Akmal and Kenneth De Silva.

Buoyed by his good showing at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Blyth remains very optimistic of his chances of claiming his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title on Saturday.

“I’m feeling good and I am going to give it my best. I had a good round, and came to it in the middle with a couple of birdies and that eagle. I have my wife here with me too, so it’s been great so far.

“We have a good field out here, and it feels good off the tea as the course is in good condition. It will be a lot of fun tomorrow for sure,” said Blyth.

Blyth notched his first birdie on the third hole before he fumbled with a bogey in the next hole. 

But the 37-year-old’s round came to life after that, closing out the front nine with two further birdies before sinking an eagle on the par-five 11th hole.  

A final birdie would arrive on 16 for a sizeable lead on Saturday.  

The PGM Northport ADT Championship offers a total prize purse of RM225,000.

Ends.

Jakarta, Indonesia, August 23: Singapore’s Mardan Mamat stands on the brink of winning his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title since 2012 after opening up a commanding five-shot lead at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic on Friday.

The 51-year-old birdied five of his last six holes for a superb nine-under-par 63 to take command over second place Joohyung Kim of Korea with his three-day total of 18-under-par 198 at the Damai Indah Golf in Tangerang, Greater Jakarta.

England’s Jack Harrison signed for a 63 to take third place while Australia’s Daniel Fox together with Thailand’s Peradol Panyathanasedh and American Micah Lauren Shin shared fourth place on matching 205 total.

Leading by one at the halfway stage, Mardan continued to ride on his fine momentum by marking his first six holes with four birdies, including a hat-trick of gains starting from the fourth hole.

Not even a bogey on the par-three seven could rattle him as he swiftly made up for that dropped shot with another birdie on the eighth hole.

Mardan himself was surprised to have signed for a 63, which is just one shot shy from the course record set by India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar in 2009.

“Having played well in the first two days, I have got good feeling that I could go for another low round abut I certainly didn’t expect to shoot a 63!

“I putted really well again and the best birdie of the day has to be on the 14th where I rolled in from about 20 feet.

“I really couldn’t ask for more to be five shots up heading into the final day. It’s been a while since I find myself in contention, I can’t even even recall when was the last time I topped the leaderboard after three rounds,” said Mardan.

Mardan, however, has refused to get carried away despite holding a comfortable lead.

“There’s a lot of golf left to be played. Five-shot cushion is a good lead, but you can never take things for granted because this course has the potential to yield very low scores.

“I’ll be very happy if I can wrap up the final round tomorrow with anything lower than a 70. It will be great I can win my first post-50 title!,” he quipped.

Although being five shots behind, Kim will be eager to try put up a chase on Mardan.

With the winner of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament set to take home a prize purse of US$19,250, Kim will also definitely do his utmost best to pile the pressure on Japan’s Naoki Sekito in the race to become Order of Merit champion.

The Korean currently sits third in the money list with US$21,977.85, while Sekito leads on US$42,595.72.

Danny Masrin carded a 69 to finish as the best Indonesian in tied-14th on 208 total, putting himself in prime position to secure an Asian Tour start at the Panasonic Open Japan in 2020 by virtue of being the best local finisher.

Masrin had qualified for the event in 2017 and 2018 and he made the opportunities count by finishing creditable tied-19th and tied-fourth respectively.  

Co-sanctioned by the ADT and the Professional Golf Tour of Indonesia, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament 2019 presented by Panasonic will be the 11th leg of the 2019 ADT season and the third event to be played in Indonesia this year.

Ends.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 22: Australia’s Adam Blyth praised the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club after surging to a one-shot lead by firing a eight-under-par 64 at the halfway stage of the PGM Northport ADT Championship on Thursday.

Blyth, who is seeking his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) win this week, came into contention after firing nine birdies, including five on the back nine, to compile a two-day total of 12-under-par 132. 

“This is one of the best course I have played in. The course is just fantastic and it made my putting game excellent today. I am looking forward to the same tomorrow,” said Blyth, who shot a 68 on the opening day.

Thailand’s Pannakorn Uthaipas trails Blyth by a shot in second place going into the penultimate round. 

Like Blyth, Pannakorn, the 2017 ADT Order of Merit winner, also marked his scorecard with nine birdies to sign for a 64.

Fiji’s Sam Lee, who took the first round lead, continues to remain in contention after he signed for a 68 to lie two shots off the pace in third position. 

“I started off well and I think that paved the way for the four-under score. The weather was also good, there wasn’t too much wind and I hit it where I had to hit it,” said the two-time Fiji Open champion.

“I’ve just got to keep doing what I’ve been doing and hit it on the greens.”

Lee is playing in his fifth ADT event this year and is aiming to finish inside the top seven on the Order of Merit, which would earn him a berth at the Asian Tour in 2020. 

He is currently ranked 96th on the ADT Order of Merit. 

Singapore’s Quincy Quek ended his day three shots back from Blyth in fourth place on a rain soaked day which saw play halted for almost 90 minutes. 

Quincy, who has two top-10 finishes this year, posted a 67 which included six birdies.

Malaysian Amir Nazrin is also in the fray, tailing Blyth by four shots after he fired 67 which included a monstrous birdie putt on the 16th hole. 

Amir is seeking another good outing on home soil after finishing fifth at the PGM ADT Penang Championship in April. 

The PGM Northport ADT Championship offers a total prize purse of RM225,000.

Ends.

Jakarta, Indonesia, August 22: Mardan Mamat of Singpore carded a three-under-par 69 to hold a one-shot lead over American Micah Lauren Shin at the halfway stage of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic on Thursday.

The 51-year-old overnight leader responded superbly to a bogey on the second hole with four birdies to lead on nine-under-par 135 in the US$110,000 event jointly sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and Professional Golf Tour of Indonesia.

A host of players are breathing down the five-time Asian Tour winner’s neck with Shin trailing closely after signing for an impressive eight-under 64 at the Damai Indah Golf in Tangerang, Greater Jakarta.

Current Order of Merit leader Naoki Sekito of Japan kept his hopes of securing a third ADT title alive by shooting a 69 to be tied for third on 137 with five others including Korea’s Joohyung Kim (68), England’s Steve Lewton (68), Thailand’s Peradol Panyathanasedh (66), American Brett Munson (69) and Mitchell Slorach of Singapore (69).

Sekito, the winner of Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational supported by Nomura and PGM ADT Penang Championship, needs just one more victory to earn a swift promotion to the Asian Tour.

But the day again belonged to Mardan as he held steady to remain as the man to beat.

Despite an early setback, Mardan recovered well to birdie holes No. 6 and No. 9 before gaining two more shots with a succesive birdies on No. 13 and No. 14 for him to retain a slender advantage.

“I’m quite happy with how things have panned out, especially after struggling in the first three holes.

“I three-putted from 20 feet for the bogey on the second but managed to fight back with four birdies. I’m very pleased with that.

“It’s going to be a very close contest this week. I have to try go for a red number over the next two days, I mean a very low red, if I’m to keep myself at the top,” said Mardan, whose best result at Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament was in 2017 when he finished outright second on the same course.

Mardan has not tasted success since he last captured the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open for his fifth Asian Tour victory, but he’s eager to prove that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

“It’s certainly a lot tougher to be playing after 50. But I still believe I have what it takes to take on younger guys out there and get back to winning ways.

“As long as I stay fit and maybe with a little bit of luck, I don’t see why I can’t win again,” vowed Mardan.

A switch of putter has paid off for Shin as he fired eight birdies en route to a flawless 64 to make up for his opening 72.

“I have been hitting it pretty solid in the first round but I putted badly. I made 36 putts yesterday, so I decided to change a new putter.

“It turned out to be a good decision and I made many putts today, most of them from close range as I have been striking the ball really well ever since I changed my swing three weeks ago.

“I could have went one lower, but I missed a birdie putt from about four feet. Overall, I’m very happy to storm back into contention,” said Shin, who finished third at the Sarawak Championship last week.

The halfway cut was set at even-par 144 with a total of 56 players qualifying for the final two rounds.

All ADT events are afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status. The winner of each tournament receives a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

Ends.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 21: Fiji’s Sam Lee made good use of the soft greens at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club on Wednesday to turn in a six-under-par 66 and take a one shot lead after the opening round of the PGM Northport ADT Championship. 

Lee’s lead came courtesy of six birdies on a rain soaked day which saw play halted for two hours. 

The 29-year-old said the soft greens enhanced his game. 

“I made the second shot on the third hole and from then on I played solid. The rain made the greens softer and it made putting a little easier,” said Sam. 

The two-time Fiji Open champion is hoping to maintain that lead with the same performance. 

“I feel confident, as long as you keep making putts you always have a chance. Hopefully I can play well enough to finish in the top seven Order of Merit.”

Brandon Lau, a seasoned campaigner on the ADT circuit, sits one shot away from Lee after he overcame a first hole bogey to notch six birdies.

“I’m happy with my round. I didn’t have the greatest of starts with the bogey on the first hole, and thankfully everything came around after that,” said Lau, who turned professional in 2015.     

Three-time Asian Tour runner-up Adam Blyth is among the chasing pack lurking two shots from Lee after he shot a 68. 

2017 ADT Order of Merit winner Pannakorn Uthaipas, meanwhile is tied-ninth after posting three-under-par 69. 

Pannakorn is chasing a second title this season, having already clinched the PGM ADT Johor Championship in March. 

The PGM Northport ADT Championship offers a total prize purse of RM225, 000.

Ends.