Mercedes-Benz Tour - Local Hero Leong Routs The Field To Claim Top Honours
Asian Golf Monthly Tour Team
26/07/08

Ben Leong. Kuala Lumpur (July 26): Malaysia’s Ben Leong claimed his first title as a professional today when he triumphed in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia at Saujana Golf and Country Club, near Kuala Lumpur. The 22-year-old from Sabah fired a final round level-par 72 to finish two strokes ahead of Filipinos Michael Bibat and Artemio Murakami and Thailand’s Varut Chomchalam. Bibat, who started the day leading by one from Leong, closed with a 75 while Murakami shot a 73. Varut, aged 17, came in with a 69. “This shows that I really can win out here and it has done a great deal for my confidence. I didn’t do anything fancy and just took it shot by shot,” said Leong, who finished with a four round total of eight-under-par 280 and won US$8,126. The Malaysian, who turned professional in 2006, has won the Asian Tour Qualifying School for the past two years but it has only been this year that he has really begun to find his feet amongst the paid ranks. He has recorded two top five finishes on the Asian Tour and that form carried over into this week’s event on the Mercedes-Benz Tour – a circuit that aims to provide more playing opportunities for the region’s up and coming professionals. “The secret was my putting this week. It was really good and my game was solid in all areas,” added Leong, whose father ‘KC’ caddied for him. The Malaysian played the front nine in level par for a one shot lead over Bibat. He bogeyed the 10th and was temporarily joined at the top by Bibat and Murakami but he restored order with a birdie on 12 and then made six pars to take the title. It was also the first time that Leong has played on the Mercedes-Benz Tour and his impressive win adds another trophy to his cabinet already full of silverware following a stellar amateur career. He triumphed in the individual section of the Putra Cup in 2003 and the team title in 2005. Bibat, a 23 year old rookie, couldn’t buy a birdie today. He dropped shots on the second and seventh and the slim chance he had of catching Leong disappeared when he bogeyed 17. “I can’t complain. This is my best finish as a professional. I have learned a lot this week,” said Bibat. The surprise package of the final round was Varut. The diminutive young Thai produced a late charge for the title with birdies on 11, 15 and 16. “It was great experience to play this week especially with good players like Ben. I was a little nervous but hopefully I will get more confidence from coming second,” said Varut. The three runners up earned US$3,772 in what was the fourth event on this year’s Tour. The next event on Tour is The International Championship presented by Telkomsel. The tournament will be played at Imperial Klub Golf near Jakarta, Indonesia, from August 13 to 16. Leading Final Round Scores: 280 - Ben Leong (MAS) 72-68-68-72 282 - Varut Chonchalam (THA) 71-72-70-69, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 71-67-71-73, Michael Bibat (PHI) 67-71-69-75 284 - Antony Lascuna (PHI) 67-72-72-73 285 - Borworn Chaisri (THA) 71-74-69-71, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 68-73-69-75 287 - Shaifubari Muda (MAS) 73-72-70-72, Airil Rizman (MAS) 71-75-69-72 288 - M. Sasidaran (MAS) 74-74-70-70, Ronnachai Jamnong (THA) 74-70-69-75 290 - Mars Pucay (PHI) 73-73-73-71, Panupat Kuahnun (THA) 76-71-72-71 292 - P. Gunasegaran (MAS) 69-73-77-73, Sukree Othman (MAS) 74-70-72-76, Hanifiah Jamil (MAS) 74-73-69-76, S. Murthy (MAS) 71-71-72-78

Senior Open: Vaughan Victory Leaves Sour Taste In Cook's Mouth
Asian Golf Monthly Tour Team
28/07/08

Bruce Vaughan marched to victory. Troon (July 28): Troon (July 28): Bruce Vaughan of the United States defeated compatriot John Cook in a play-off at Royal Troon Golf Club to win the the Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard Putting a troublesome knee problem to the back of his mind, Vaughan snared a 15-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole, the 18th. Cook, who had led for most of the final day, had a 10-footer to keep the contest alive and extend the play-off. But to his dismay, Cook's birdie attempt veered to the right. It was not the first time that Cook has suffered disappointment on a Scottish links. In the 1992 Open Championship at Muirfield he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, allowing Nick Faldo to capture the Claret Jug. Once more, Cook, an ex-Ryder Cup player, will rue a missed opportunity. He played beautifully for much of the week but when it came to the crunch he failed to deliver the goods. Leading by one from Vaughan as he stood on the 72nd tee, Cook sprayed his drive into the right rough from where he was unable to reach the green. He knocked his third onto the putting surface and had a 12-footer for a par and victory. But that putt missed on the low side, a final-hole bogey leaving him level with Vaughan on 278. There was also dismay for Eduardo Romero. All week the Argentinian had predicted that it was his tournament. However, like Cook, he also bogeyed the last hole which meant he ended one shot shy of joining the play-off. At various stages of the day, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman and defending champion Tom Watson all looked capable of pulling off victory. In the end, though, they all came up short.