Malaysia’s rising amateur stars Anson Yeo and Aiden Kei stole plenty of attention at the ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A at Saujana Golf & Country Club, even as India’s Pukhraj Singh Gill claimed a long-awaited maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title in dramatic fashion.
Gill emerged victorious after a tense three-man playoff against Filipino Sean Ramos and Thai teenager Thanawin Lee after all three players finished regulation play tied on 13-under-par on Saujana’s demanding Palm Course.
The 29-year-old Indian finally sealed the breakthrough win with a birdie on the second extra playoff hole at the par-five 18th. After finding a greenside bunker with his third shot, Gill splashed out to six feet before calmly rolling in the winning putt.
“This feels surreal! I think it’s going to take a while to sink in, but I’m just so pumped right now,” said Gill, who earned US$19,250 for the victory.
“It’s been a great week in Malaysia. I was very happy with the course design, playing it for the first time – it just really suits my eye.”
Gill looked set for a comfortable victory early in the final round after opening with three birdies in his first four holes to build a five-shot lead. But mistakes crept in over the closing stretch, including three consecutive bogeys from Hole 14, allowing Ramos and Lee back into contention.
The playoff itself produced more drama. Gill and Ramos both birdied the first extra hole, while Lee bowed out after finding a bunker with his third shot. On the second playoff hole, Gill’s composure proved decisive.
“I was really comfortable playing the 18th hole because I had a length advantage and could get there in two,” added the golfer from Punjab. “At the first playoff hole, that 10-foot clutch birdie was very important. And the second time, I just played it flawlessly.”
While Gill celebrated his breakthrough moment, the tournament also marked an encouraging week for Malaysian golf.
National amateur No. 1 Anson Yeo produced an impressive closing 69 to finish tied 10th on six-under-par, earning one of two coveted exemptions into the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School.
Anson Yeo
“Happy with how I played this week, especially today,” said Yeo. “The Final Stage exemption means a lot and I’m grateful to the ADT and The R&A. The timing is perfect as I was planning to go for the Q-School this year.”
The 19-year-old added that he plans to turn professional after this year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
Fellow Malaysian amateur Aiden Kei also secured a Final Stage exemption after making the cut in only his second ADT appearance. Although Kei struggled to a closing 77 to finish tied 36th, the experience proved invaluable for the teenager.
Aiden Kei
“I’m really grateful and happy that The R&A sponsored this tournament, and to have gotten this slot,” said Kei. “I’ll play more amateur events this year, and then I’ll try out for the Q-School. If I do well, I might turn pro.”
Among the professionals, Malaysians Edven Ying and Ben Leong were the best local finishers, tied on seven-under-par, while Shahriffuddin Ariffin joined Yeo in tied 10th place.
Despite falling short in the playoff, Ramos and Lee left Saujana encouraged by their performances.
Filipino Sean Ramos
“I made some changes in my swing and fortunately it felt good here,” said the 22-year-old Ramos. “This is my first time getting into this position in an international event, so it feels great. Even though I lost today, I’d go through it a hundred more times.”
Lee, who only turned professional this year, described the week as an important learning experience.
“I’m happy with how I played today, but it was just not good enough,” said the 19-year-old Thai. “I was nervous even before the playoff. This is only my fifth event as a professional and there’s a lot of work to do.”
The ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A was staged in partnership with the Professional Golf of Malaysia Tour and marked the ADT’s second stop in Malaysia this season.
