Amateur golfer Yeo upsets buddy Nathan in playoff

Victorious: Amateur Anson Yeo claimed the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy at the Saujana Golf and Country Club yesterday. South Korean pro Bang Hee-yeon won the women’s competition.

PETALING JAYA: Amateur Anson Yeo escaped a major heartache by staging a timely comeback to claim a big upset win in the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy.

Anson stood tall after beating Nathan Wong in the first playoff hole at the Saujana Golf and Country Club yesterday.

All that could go wrong went wrong for Anson in the beginning when he let slip a five-stroke overnight advantage after carding a two-over 74 to finish regulation play on nine-under with Nathan.

His best friend Nathan carded a superb five-under 67 to force his way to a playoff.

However, all came together for Anson when it mattered most when he chipped in from 30 feet for a birdie in the playoff to secure victory.

The 19-year-old is only the second amateur to win on the PGM Tour.

Marcus Lim won the Supra Cup in 2023 when the PGM Tour was then known as the Toyota Tour.

Anson, who is from Sarawak, was just relieved to prevail at the end and secured his second title for 2025. He had won the Sabah Amateur Open in March.

“I really messed up in the first nine holes. I started with a double bogey (on the first hole) and then had two more bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes.

“It was quite a rollercoaster ride and I became nervous as I saw my good friend catching up fast.

“I told myself that I had come this far and just didn’t want to throw it away like that.

“I just felt happy and relieved when I won,” said Anson, who is not eligible though to collect the winner’s cheque of RM31,500.

The honour goes to former Asian Tour golfer Shahriffuddin Ariffin, who finished third on eight-under 206 after a final round of two-under 70.

Anson’s performance will definitely boost his hopes of fighting for a place in the team for the Thailand SEA Games in December.

Anson returned home empty-handed from his SEA Games debut in Cambodia two years ago with teammate Malcom Ting taking silver in the men’s individual while Ng Jing Xuen bagged a historic gold for Malaysia in the women’s individual.

South Korean professional Bang Hee-yeon became the first international women’s champion on the PGM Tour following an impressive 10-stroke victory.

The Saujana Golf and Country Club member, playing on a sponsor’s invite, fired rounds of 70, 68 and 69 for a nine-under total of 207.