Malaysia’s leading men’s amateur golfer Malcolm Ting leads the field of 92 players as they attempt to secure playing rights in the Toyota Tour via the second qualifying school that starts at the Palm Resort GCC here tomorrow.
Ting recently represented the Asia-Pacific team in their victory over their European counterparts in the Bonallack Trophy in Spain last month and is strongly tipped to be able to register a three-day aggregate of 231 or, 15-over-par or less, in order to gain a Tour card.
Ting, who won silver in the Sea Games individual competition, intends to join the professional ranks next month. After a short break, the Toyota Tour – organised by the PGM and delivered by MST Golf Group – resumes with the Camry Cup at Forest City on Oct 3-5.
A total of 63 amateurs have registered for the Q-School including Ng Jing Xuen who became Malaysia’s first woman’s individual gold medalist at this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. She leads a gathering of nine girls who will attempt to gain Tour Cards.
Among the men challenging for Toyota Tour playing rights include Anson Yeo, Vios Cup Best Amateur Muhammad Afif Mohd Fathi and professional Mohd Hanafiah Muhd Jamil who is making a comeback to competitive golf.
Expected to make the cut is Mohd Shanizam Mohagi, the golf manager cum teaching professional at Royal Perak GC. Shanizam made a huge impact at the Corolla Cup played on his home course in July, when he put himself in contention after a six-under 66 on the second day.
PGM General Manager Nik Mustapha expressed delight at the interest shown in the entries for the qualifying school. “These are exciting and positive times for the Toyota Tour. We’re witnessing our top amateurs closing the gap on our professionals and this bodes well for the future of golf in this country,” he said.
“The Toyota Tour is truly an excellent platform for professional and amateur golf.”