Champion Shahriffuddin Ariffin of Malaysia with Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amiruddin Shari (right).
Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin took an important step closer to earning an Asian Tour card for 2023 when he won the PKNS Selangor Masters by two shots after carding a one-under 70 in the final round of this Asian Development Tour event here today.
The Malacca-born professional who entered the week in seventh position on the ADT Order of Merit, finished with a four-day aggregate of 275 to pocket a cheque for US$26,250, catapulting him up to third position with US$46,280.42 in total with three more events to go.
The top 10 on the OOM will automatically earn Asian Tour cards while those who finish 11th to 20th are eligible for the final stage of qualification.
Shahriffuddin and Thai teenager Denwit Boriboonsub teed off in the final group as overnight joint leaders at 8-under 205. Filipino Jefferson Go was in the same flight at six under. One flight ahead in the chasing pack were Malaysian veteran Danny Chia at -6, Jack Murdoch (-4) and Amir Nazrin (-3).
But Shahriffuddin and Denwit were absorbed in their own private battle akin to a matchplay. Denwit led by one at the turn and the Malaysian levelled when Denwit three-putted the Par 4 10th. The Thai went ahead again on the driveable Par 4 11th when he birdied from 10 feet. Then a double bogey seven at the 13th saw Shahriffuddin drop two more strokes, and the Thai seemed to be on cruise control, leading by three with five holes to go.
Said Shahriffuddin after his round, “At that point, three shots down, I knew I had to stay calm and just be patient. I had to stick to my plan of finding as many fairways and greens as possible.”
His plan worked. Both players missed the green at the long Par 3 14th but Denwit failed to get up and down. His lead was cut to two strokes. The match took a dramatic turn on the next hole when Shahriffuddin birdied from five feet while the Thai teenager three-putted for a two-shot swing. They were all square.
At the next hole, deemed the toughest on the back nine, Shahriffudin went ahead for the first time when he made a clutch par save after missing the green while Denwit missed a short putt for par. The Malaysian was one-up with two to go.
After both parred the 17th, Denwit pulled his drive into the tall grass left of the cart path while Shahriffudin executed a perfect drive down the right side of the fairway. Denwit could only chip out onto the fairway and then two putted for a bogey five. Shahriffuddin knew he could bogey and still win by one, but his birdie attempt just grazed the left lip of the cup. It was an easy tap-in for victory.
Shahriffuddin dedicated his win to his father Ariffin Haji Omar who had been his coach and guide from young. “I’m really excited at winning here. I knew I had a chance and just needed to stay calm. I will play two events in Saudi and the last one in Taifong, Chinese Taipei to ensure I stay within the top 10,” said the visibly overjoyed Shahriffuddin. “I can’t wait to play on the Asian Tour.”
Veteran Chia, who turns 50 next year, showed why he was Malaysian No 1 for a good number of years when he carded an even-par 71 to finish tied third with Jefferson Go, one stroke behind Denwit. Chia travels to Japan next week for the Japan Seniors Tour qualifying stages.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand and compatriot Choulatit Chuenboonngam remain first and second in the OOM with US$60,628.76 and US$58,203.17 respectively. Denvit’s runner-up performance moved him up to seventh while Paul San of Malaysia is 9th with US$20,113.63.
The main sponsors of the Selangor Masters are the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), Gamuda Land, Menteri Besar Incorporated, Permodalan Nasional Selangor Berhad and Selgate Corporation.
Final Results
275 – Shahriffuddin Ariffin (MAS) 67-72-66-70
277 – Denwit Boriboonsub (MAS) 67-70-68-72
278 – Danny Chia (MAS) 70-70-67-71, Lloyd Jefferson Go (PHI) 68-73-66-71
279 – Kieran Vincent (ZIM) 73-71-69-66
280 – Jack Murdoch (AUS) 70-68-71-71
283 – Joe Heraty (ENG) 68-74-71-70, Gregory Foo (SIN) 70-68-74-71, Amir Nazrin (MAS) 65-72-73-73
284 – Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA) 71-75-65-73
