Veteran professional Shaifubari Muda ended his title drought in dramatic fashion after defeating Marcus Lim in a sudden-death play-off to capture the PGM Royal Pekan Closed Championship at Royal Pekan Golf Club.
Shaifubari carded a final-round birdie on the 18th hole to post a tournament total of seven-under-par 209 and take the clubhouse lead. The experienced campaigner then had to wait as overnight leader Sukree Othman and Marcus Lim completed their rounds.
Sukree, who had led the tournament since the opening round, stumbled at the final hurdle after missing the 18th green. A closing bogey saw him slip to second place at six-under-par, while Marcus produced a birdie on the last to join Shaifubari at seven-under and force a play-off.
Returning to the par-five 18th, both players found the fairway with their tee shots. Shaifubari then struck a superb approach to within three yards of the pin, while Marcus’s approach finished on the right side of the green. Marcus narrowly missed his birdie attempt, leaving Shaifubari with the chance to seal victory. The veteran calmly rolled in his birdie putt to claim the title.
Ben Leong recorded the lowest round of the day with a six-under-par 66, finishing the championship in a tie at five-under-par.
In the Ladies Championship, Zulaikah Nasser secured the title after narrowly missing out at the previous championship. Liyana Durisic finished runner-up, while amateur Foong Xi Yu and Jocelyn Chee shared third place.
Victor Ng was named Best Amateur in the main championship, while Foong Xi Yu claimed the Best Amateur honours in the Ladies Championship.
The PGM Royal Pekan Closed Championship offered a prize purse of RM180,000, with the Ladies Championship carrying RM30,000. Shaifubari received RM31,500 for his victory, while Zulaikah earned RM10,000.
