Hosts Malaysia retained the World Amateur Golfers Championship 2022 challenge trophy, achieving a wire-to-wire finish to win the world finals team event by a comfortable 34-stroke margin over neighbours Thailand.
The Malaysians, represented by Mohd Firdaus Ahmad, Ryan Loh, Mohammed Faisel Hussain, Syahril Hirman Azmi and Magenthiran Thanimalai had held a 15-stroke lead over France overnight and combined well to shoot 284 for a four-day aggregate of 1,165 net ahead of Thailand in second who edged France (1,200) by a single stroke. Fourth were the Philippines on 1,206 while Slovenia ended up sixth just two shots behind. A total of 25 countries competed in this team event.
It was double joy for the Malaysian contingent as they also emerged victorious in the event for teams that competed in the 2020-2021 qualifying rounds in their respective countries. There was no world finals in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic so a final for the qualified teams was created to run simultaneously.
The Malaysians comprised Mejar Mohd Nasir Othman, Khor Jia Zhe, Muhammad Syafiq Hanef, Jeffry Mat Zahir and Suliman Samin. They combined for a 1,196 four-day aggregate which was a whopping 56 strokes ahead of second-placed Denmark. Germany finished a further stroke back in third place.
Mejar Mohd Nasir, Muhammad Syafiq and Jeffry finished first in their handicap groups of 0-5, 11-15 and 16-20 respectively.
Khairul Nizam, captain of both the Malaysian teams, said he was extremely proud and pleased at how his players mounted their challenge. “For us it was more of mathematical planning as well as taking advantage of the hot, humid and wet conditions.”
Khairul said prior to this week he had attended four world finals previously – 2014 in South Africa, 2016 in Turkey, 2018 in Johor and in Sabah in 2019, the last time a world final was ever held.
“We studied the handicapping system that the WAGC used, and applied it conscientiously every day,” said Khairul who also competed in the World Amateur Golfers Individual (WAGI) team and individual events. He combined with Roslan Ismail to finish second on 597 net – four more than winners Denmark II. Third were Team Philippines 1 comprising Romeo Lopez and Vicky Herera four more strokes adrift.
The Danish pair of Michael Pedersen and Kurt Amandus von Barner Altenburg had combined for a 593 four-day aggregate net.
There were a total of 80 teams from all over the world that competed in the WAGI event that also was played in Kota Permai GCC, Kelab Rahman Putra, Glenmarie GCC and Kuala Lumpur GCC.
The WAGC 2022 world finals was highlighted by two hole-in-ones achieved by the Slovenians. Tomas Kavnik scored his first ever ace on the 17th hole in Glenmarie on Day Two of the WAGC while photojournalist Alex Fevzer made his on the 2nd hole also at Glenmarie on Day Three. Fevzer has now achieved five aces and each one in a different country.
The Polish team receiving The Tumba Spirit award for fair play from Johan Tumba
Poland, led by former Liverpool FC goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, were unsurprisingly announced as winners of the Tumba Spirit Award for fairplay.
Johan Tumba whose late father Sven founded the WAGC 26 years ago, remarked at how well this year’s world finals was organised. He said the accommodation, food, transportation, golf course conditions and all the dinner functions were of a very high standard, befitting a global event such as this.
