Ayer Keroh (Malacca), 21 Feb 2024 – Helicopter pilot Hafiy Suhaili got his rotor blades running smoothly when he lifted himself into the joint lead of the Toyota Tour Qualifying School Leg 1, scoring five birdies against three bogeys for a two-under 70 and a two-day aggregate of 144 at the Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club here today.
Overnight leader and pre-tournament favourite Malcolm Ting couldn’t find his swing and, despite recording four birdies, his scorecard was undone by four bogeys and a double. He ended up with a two-over 74 and an aggregate of 144.
Joining Hafiy and Ting in the last group for tomorrow’s final round is amateur Hariz Hezri who managed to finish with an even-par 72 and at 147 is within striking distance of the leaders. Hariz started the day brightly, with a birdie-eagle on his opening holes but a horrible 8 on the par 4 14th spoilt his card.
Hafiy, who hails from Kelantan, is looking towards vanquishing the demons of last year’s qualifying school at Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam when he was only four over after two rounds. On the final round he blew up with a 14-over 86 and missed his tour card by three strokes.
“I’m better prepared this time,” said Hafiy whose 70 was the low score of the day. “I’ve worked on my consistency and the results are showing. I’m happy with my game and look forward to obtaining playing rights on the Toyota Tour.”
Ting wasn’t pleased with his performance. “I wasn’t hitting the ball well but, it is what it is. Hopefully I’ll do better tomorrow.”
Tan Ying Ying, the 14-year-old amateur from Kulim who surprised with a one-over 73 yesterday, stayed on course for a Toyota Tour card when she carded a five-over 77 and a two- day aggregate of 150. She is now six over and has nine strokes to spare going into tomorrow’s final round.
“I could have played better,” said the shy girl who names Tiger Woods and Atthaya Thitikul as her golf idols. This is the first time that Ying Ying is paired with professionals which is something of a good lesson for her.
A total of 39 players from a starting field of 64 advanced into tomorrow’s final round with the aim of securing playing rights on the Toyota Tour which is organised by the Professional Golf Malaysia and delivered by MST Golf. Participants who manage to score 15-over and better will be granted their coveted tour cards.
Following the qualifying school, the opening round of the Toyota Tour – the Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy – will take place at the Saujana Golf & Country Club from Feb 27-29.
Leading Rd 2 scores
144 Hafiy Suhaili 74-70; Malcolm Ting 70-74 147 Hariz Hezri (am) 75-72
148 New Fu Yeong (am) 75-73
150 Tan Ying Ying (am) 73-77
151 U-Minn Woon 76-75, Aiden Kei (am) 76-75, Hasnul Daniel (am) 75-76, Chong Chee Ming 75-76
152 Irfan Syahmi 76-76