Anson Yeo emerged the men’s champion in the Johor Open
Anson Yeo won the men’s inaugural Johor Open golf amateur championship at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru, today, and Ng Jing Xuen claimed the women’s crown.
Horizon Hills’ award-winning course played tough each of the three days, highlighted by hard and firm greens that had the Stimpmeter clock readings of 11 to 11.5 throughout the week, which included the first day that was interrupted by rain.
Nevertheless, it proved manageable enough for Yeo, a plus-one handicapper who carded a final round even-par 72, to finish with a seven-over 223 total and capture the men’s title with a six-shot winning margin over Zia Iqmal Abdul Rashid. Zia, who also shot a last-day 72 for a 229 total, was in second place.
Muhammad Muadz Mohd Nadzir (1) and Irfan Syahmi Norshaharudin (1) were joint third on 230, a stroke further back. Muhammad Farez Mohd Azihan (0) shot a final round 76 today and tied with first-round leader Neil Bainon (0), who signed for a 77 and was another stroke adrift on 232 to round off the top-five.
Speaking with the trophy in his hands, Yeo said he was delighted to have won the first Johor Open title, which was made more satisfying by the strength of the field and the hazardous obstacles posed by a set-up that left little or no room for error.
“This set-up was really tough,” he said. “But it was also a good test for the field, which was really strong this week. The greens were tricky and fast, but, of course, I’m happy to have won here as this is the first Johor Open. I heard that it might become an annual tournament, which would be good for the game.
“Not only was the course set-up done well, but the organisation of the tournament was very good too. The rain on the first day made things dicey out there, but the players handled it, and we got through just fine. I thought I played well in the first round and today, but I had a hard time yesterday (in the second round).”
Ng Jing Xuen won the women’s title
The women’s title was well-deserved reward for Ng, (affectionately known as JX) playing off a plus-2, as she shot a tournament-low four-under 68 to finish with a four-over 220 total and a massive 13-shot cushion over runner-up Pang Hee Jie (2), who managed a two-over 74. Charlayne Chong Shin Ling (plus-1) was third after stumbling to a six-over 78 on 234, another shot back. Sohniya A/P Chandra Mohan was fourth on 241, and Wang Enxi was fifth on 247.
The ladies’ champion started the last day with four-stroke lead and never really looked as she made her way around the 6,159-yard layout crafted by Australian golf architect Ross Watson, with a birdie and a bogey on the front nine and a blemish-free back nine that was highlighted by four birdies.
Commenting on her victory and the effort that it took to achieve it, an event that carries World Amateur Golf Ranking points, JX said, “I’m obviously very happy to be declared the winner here. This was a big test for all the players, and I’m just pleased to be the one leaving with the trophy. I am also happy because this course is very tough and I stuck to my game and paid more attention to not making silly mistakes, and I think that is what counted.”
Tunku Aris Bendahara Abdul Majid Ibni AlMarhum Sultan Iskandar said of the event, “This is the first Johor Open, and we envisage it becoming an annual tournament on the Malaysian golf calendar. We aim to progressively make it a bigger and better event, and one that we hope will feature international players in the future – perhaps with professionals in the field too.
“Our priority is to help develop golf in the country, and especially in Johor. And events like this can only bolster the growth of the sport, particularly with the development of junior and amateur golf. We should also remember that the tourism industry also benefits from tournaments like this, which means that further growth will bring with it further gains for the related sectors.
“To Anson and JX, and all the other winners and players in the Johor Open, we say congratulations. Keep up your commitment and desire to play well. You make us all proud.”
Majlis Sukan Negeri Johor (Pengarah MSNJ) chairman Mohd Ekmaluddin bin Ishak said, “We will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders involved in the growth of golf in Johor. This inaugural tournament is a shining example of what Johor can do to help spread the sport of golf in the state and around the country. We will spare no effort in our drive to achieve the results that are expected of us as we move forward, more so in 2024.”
Also present at the event was Johor State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resources chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, who echoed those sentiments and said they would fortify their support for the Johor Open and golf in general.
Among the main sponsors for the tournament organised by Johor Golf Association were Mah Sing Group Berhad, Ancom Nylex Berhad, Johor State, Majlis Sukan Negeri Johor and Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club.
Leading Finals Scores
Men
223 Anson Yeo Boon Xiang 74-77-72
229 Zia Iqmal Abdul Rashid 79-78-72
230 Muhammad Muadz Mohd Nadzir 78-79-73
230 Irfan Syahmi Norshaharudin 76-79-75
231 Muhammad Farez Mohd Azihan 76-79-76
231 Neil Bainon 72-82-77
232 Mohd Shakiran Johari 75-79-78
232 Aqil Afiq Rosli 75-78-79
232 Wan Danial Hafiz 78-75-79
234 Maxwin Chiew Jian Weng 77-75-82
Women
220 Ng Jing Xuen 75-77-68
233 Pang Hee Jie 83-76-74
234 Charlayne Chong Shin Ling 80-76-78
241 Sohniya A/P Chandra Mohan 82-79-80
247 Wang Enxi 86-80-81
248 Ngo Yi Belle 83-80-85
252 Siti Nurfarah Fasha 86-82-84
261 Passion Hsu 88-88-85
269 Kim Jie Hyun 95-89-85
280 Mavis Chua 96-87-97
