Ervin Chang of Malaysia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Promising young Malaysian golfer Ervin Chang has been given the honour of becoming the first recipient of The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Award – a mission-driven annual initiative set up last year in memory of the late and great former Asian Tour number one and Executive Chairman.
Chang turned professional last year after claiming the gold medal at the SEA Games in the individual category and has been playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), where he caught the eye of officials looking to select an appropriate candidate to receive the award.
The 24 year old, who is competing in the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School this week at Lake View Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, will receive funding of US$20,000 for the year, earn invites to select events and his Qualifying School entry fee will also be covered.
“We have been impressed by Ervin since he started to participate in our events,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“His excellent amateur record, his potential to become one of our leading players, and his friendly and approachable personality all contributed to his selection.
“We know Kyi Hla would have been delighted that we have selected a rookie of the calibre of Ervin. Kyi Hla always helped up-and-coming players during his career as part of a lifelong commitment to put Asia and its golfers on the map.”
The Asian Tour lost a colossus of the game in 2022 when Kyi Hla unexpectedly passed away in February in Singapore.
The late Kyi Hla Han of Myanmar. STANLEY CHOU/AFP via Asian Tour/ Getty Images
And to honour and further Kyi Hla’s legacy, the Han family and the Asian Tour came together to establish The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Awards.
Most notable on Kyi Hla’s playing CV were victories in the 1994 Singapore Open and 1999 Volvo China Open, the year he topped the standings in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and as he would discover later in his role as Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, the competition and power battles in boardrooms around the world were no less daunting or intense.
Added Cho, “We are witnessing an incredible period in Asian golf history, so it is only fitting to honour Kyi Hla through The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Award. It is a very worthy cause, and I am sure Ervin will be proud to be associated with such a legendary figure. Kyi Hla has made a huge impact on many of us at the Asian Tour, both personally and professionally. Establishing this award is a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
Chang came close to securing his Asian Tour card for this year when playing on the ADT but eventually finished 15th on the Final ADT Order of Merit, which sees the top-10 earn playing privileges.
“It is unbelievable! I certainly did not expect this. Everyone knows what a legend Kyi Hla is,” said Chang.
“I have only recently turned professional, so what a great way to get started. I am truly appreciative to the Han family and the Asian Tour. It’s going to be an amazing year with opportunities on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour. It starts with a big week ahead here at Q School. Five rounds is a real test but I am playing well, so we will see.”
Chang played in 11 ADT events last year and impressively had eight top-20 results, including second and joint-sixth placed finishes.
He is one of 234 players competing this week for 35 Tour cards on offer for the new season, which starts next month at the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.
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