PETALING JAYA: Veteran professional Shaifubari Muda ended an agonising 14-year title drought in dramatic fashion after defeating Marcus Lim in a sudden-death playoff to capture the PGM Royal Pekan Closed Championship at Royal Pekan Golf Club.
Shaifubari carded a final-round birdie on the 18th hole to post a tournament total of seven-under 209 and take the clubhouse lead.
The experienced campaigner then had to wait as overnight leader Sukree Othman and Marcus Lim completed their rounds.
Sukree, who had led the tournament since the opening round, stumbled at the final hurdle after missing the 18th green.
A closing bogey saw him slip to second place at six-under 210 while Marcus produced a birdie on the last to join Shaifubari at seven-under and force a playoff.
Returning to the par-five 18th, both players found the fairway with their tee shots. Shaifubari then struck a superb shot to within three yards of the pin while Marcus’ approach finished on the right side of the green.
Marcus just missed his birdie attempt, leaving Shaifubari with the chance to seal victory. The veteran calmly rolled in his birdie putt to claim the title.
In the women’s championship, Zulaikah Nasser secured the title after narrowly missing out at the previous championship.
Zulaikah finished at three-under 213 (72-71-70).
Liyana Durisic finished runner-up three strokes behind on 216 (74-72-70).
Shaifubari received RM31,500 for his victory while Zulaikah earned RM10,000.
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