Big ambition: Ervin Chang runs towards the ball at hole 11 during the SEA Games individual event in Vinh Phuc province, Vietnam. — AP
PETALING JAYA: Hanoi SEA Games golf champion Ervin Chang, who just turned pro, will give himself two years to earn a career breakthrough win.
The 23-year-old made up his mind last week to join the professional ranks following his record-breaking feats at the recent SEA Games and an impressive performance at last week’s PGM Kia Championship.
Ervin has been accepted to play his first tournament as a pro at the US$70,000 (RM306,000) OB Golf Invitational in Tangerang, Indonesia, from June 7-10.
He will also take part in the Indo Masters Golf Invitational in Indonesia the following week.
The OB Golf Invitational is the first of six Asian Development Tour (ADT) events scheduled to take place in Indonesia this year.
“I was lucky to secure an invitation to play in an ADT event in Indonesia next week.
“My aim as a professional is to win and hopefully, I can get my first title in these two years.
“It can be at the ADT or a PGM event,” said Ervin, who made history at the SEA Games after becoming Malaysia’s first ever individual gold medallist for golf.
Ervin also led teammates Marcus Lim, K. Rhaasrikanesh and A. Nateeshvar to dethrone defending champions Thailand to win the team gold after 21 years.
There was no break for Ervin as he continued his hot form by almost winning the PGM Kia Championships as an amateur last week.
He finished runner-up, losing to Shahriffuddin Ariffin by just one shot.
“I have to improve mentally, physically and technically to make inroads in the professional world.
“The professional scene, whether it’s the Asian Tour or ADT, is very competitive with many young golfers coming through the ranks but I am ready,” added Ervin, who graduated from the United States early this year.
Ervin is also planning to take a shot at qualifying for the Asian School and Japan Golf Tour later this year.
