NILAI, 10 SEPT 2024 – It will be a battle between two newly-turned lady professionals when the third and final round of the Toyota Tour Qualifying School II gets underway at the tricky Kota Seriemas Golf & Country Club here tomorrow.
Both Liyana Durisic and Zulaikah Nasser who turned professional less than a month ago on August 27th, finished ahead of the field with identical two-day aggregates of 145, two strokes ahead of Afif Fathi while amateur Chan Kai Zhane was a stroke further adrift on 148.
“I putted better today although I three-putted once, but fortunately I was okay from tee to green and managed myself pretty well on this layout despite seeing bunkers mostly on the left. I tend to draw most of my shots, especially off the tee so staying on the fairways was a priority.” Liyana had birdies on the 3rd, 4th, 8th and 18th and bogeyed the 9th and par 3 14th.
Zulaikah meanwhile felt pretty nervous throughout her round. “It’s not a long course and the greens were tough today, fast and firm as they should be, but tricky,” said Zulaikah who shot an even par 72 after three birdies and three bogeys.
Zulaikah graduated in mass communications from the Sam Houston State University in Texas and intends to give professional golf her best shot. Liyana graduated from the Iowa State University. Both girls can consider themselves team-mates as they have been signed up as Golf Ambassadors of Kelab Golf Seri Selangor.
At stake tomorrow is the first prize of RM3,350 while the runner-up will receive RM2,300. The Toyota Tour is organised by the Professional Golf Malaysia and delivered by MST Golf.
“KGSS has provided me a place to practice and play, so thanks to the management of KGSS for having faith in me,” added Zulaikah who said it was a good start to her professional career. The KGSS stable of professionals include Malcolm Ting, Zia Izuddeen, Syahiran Syakir and Amir Nazrin.
Overnight leader Kelana Ibrahim dropped five shots today after playing par golf yesterday and is well in contention to renewing his Toyota Tour card. Players who finish at 15-over or better after tomorrow’s round will earn playing rights on the Tour.
A total of 28 professionals and 22 amateurs who scored 20-over and better have made the cut for tomorrow’s final round.
Leading scores
145 Liyana Durisic (75-70), Zulaikah Nasser (73-72)
147 Afif Fathi (76-71)
148 Chan Kai Zhane (am, 78-70)
149 Rozaini Rosli (75-74), Kalana Ibrahim (72-77)
150 Pravin Kumar (am, 73-77)
151 Anis Helmi Hassan (75-76), Syady Sheikh (74-77), Afif Razif (75-76)