SUKMA 2024: Sarawak's Anson, Mirabel Dominate Golf Individual Events

KUCHING, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Sarawak golfers Anson Yeo Boon Xiang and Mirabel Ting dominated the men’s and women’s golf individual events at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA), winning gold in their respective events at the Sarawak Golf Club, today.

Anson, 18, who was trailing by two strokes behind Selangor’s Muhammad Ajmal Amin Mohd Fajri yesterday, hit one under 71 to be tied second with five others in the final round to wrest the gold with an overall six under 210, after carding 71 and 68 in the previous round.

Overnight leader Muhammad Ajmal Amin, had to be satisfied with the silver after he bogeyed on hole 4, 7, 8 and 17 to finish today’s round four over 76 for an overall three under 213, having carded 74 and 63 in the first two round, while Andrew Yap of Perak won the bronze with one over 217 (74-73-70).

Muhammad Ajmal Amin did win a gold today as part of Selangor’s men’s team, together with Poon Jia Hao, Austin Gan and Ezekiel Riz Hafi Suzearitz, who defended their gold medal with an overall score of 659.

Anson, together with Joshua Lim, Cayden Kong and Wesley Chai won the silver for Sarawak with 666 points, while Perak’s Andrew, Aiden Tai John Roberts, Lim Hao Yu and Mohammad Rafiq Nadzimi Ramlan claimed the bronze (669). 

Anson told reporters after the prizegiving ceremony that he did not expect to win two medals in his SUKMA debut and was grateful that his golf journey, which started when he was five, had brought him fame.

“I’m really happy to win in front of my home crowd, they really motivated me to chase back to regain the lead, while I tried to do (with) as many birdies I could. 

“Possibly (I) will defend the gold in next Sukma, but depends on my schedule and whether I turn professional. I’m supposed to turn pro this year, but changed the plan to remain amateur for next one or two year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mirabel maintained her led in the women’s individual event since first round with birdies in first, sixth, seventh and 15th despite bogeys in fourth and 12th  to finish the day on top with two under 70 with for an overall 10 under 206 after hit 69 and 67 previously. 

Perak’s Wang Xin Yao claimed the silver with par 216 (73-73-70), while Ng Jin Xuen from the Federal Territorries took home the bronze with two over 218 (73-71-74).

Perak’s team of Xin Yao, Nur Diana Syafiqah Abdullah, Siti Nur Husna Aina Abd Karim and Nurul Adawiyah Ab Jalil took the women’s team gold medal with 676.

The silver and bronze medalists had to be decided after count back, with Selangor winning the silver and Sarawak the bronze after both Selangor’s Foong Zi Yu, G Aarthi, Nur Batrisyia Balqis Abdul Ghani and G Kaathiyayani and Sarawak’s Mirabel, Sharifah Aiysyah Tijan Syed Fazil and Abigail Kedung Pearson tied with 688 strokes. 

-- BERNAMA