PGM’s compelling fortnight

Kuantan winner Amir Nazrin en route to the men’s title.

Amir and Zulaikah shine at Kelab Golf DiRaja Pahang

THE Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour wrapped up two consecutive weeks of competition, following a compelling fortnight that began with the Royal Pekan Closed Championship at Royal Pekan Golf Club in Pekan, Pahang, and concluded with the Royal Pahang Closed Championship at Kelab Golf DiRaja Pahang in Kuantan.

In both tournaments the tour delivered towering performances from seasoned veterans and rising talents alike.

Shaifubari Muda captured the men’s title in Pekan last week, while Amir Nazrin produced a superb closing round of seven-under 65 to secure a seven-shot victory in Pahang.

In the women’s championship, Zulaikah Nasser completed a solid two-week display for back-to-back triumphs, winning in Pekan and again this week in Kuantan.

Amir, this week, had rounds of 66, 69 and 65 for a 16-under 200 total, and left Rizq Adam Rohizam (68-73-66) and Ervin Chang (66-71-70) to settle for a share of second place.

He, indeed, delivered one of the finest rounds of the fortnight, firing a bogey-free 65 and called it “a blessing”.

He said he was encouraged by the steady improvement in his game over recent weeks and looked forward to maintaining that form in the coming months.

Amir, along with several of the other top Malaysian players, will head north for the All Thailand Tour’s Singha Pattaya Open, scheduled for July 30 to Aug 2 at Laem Chabang International Country Club in Chonburi, before returning home for the PGM Port Dickson Closed Championship at Port Dickson Golf & Country Club in Negeri Sembilan next moth.

Amir’s victory earned him RM35,000 from the RM200,000 prize money at stake.

In the men’s amateur division, Rizq Adam claimed the Best Amateur award, finishing tied for second with Ervin at nine-under-par.

Zulaikah Nasser with her trophy in Pahang. — Photos: PGM Tour

In the Ladies Championship, Zulaikah claimed the crown with a two-over total, securing consecutive victories after her win in Pekan.

Pleased with her form and the RM11,000 cheque, she said: “Golf wise, there are always little areas I can improve, but mentally I’m in a good headspace.

“I’m understanding myself better under pressure and reacting well to how my mind works in those moments.”

It was no easy ride as the players faced tough conditions throughout, especially the final day in Pahang, with winds blowing off the South China Sea.

Several approach shots drifted towards the tree line along the fairways, adding an extra layer of difficulty to an already testing layout at the par-72 Kelab Golf DiRaja Pahang.

Speaking to TeeUp, Zulaikah she just took it in her stride and was happy to continue with her good run of form – two victories in the last two weeks, coming after three successive runner- up finishes.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Your level of consistency now is something you showed last season before your wrist injury. What does it mean to you to finally feel that form returning?

A: To be honest, I feel incredibly grateful. For a long time, I felt stuck, not knowing why I couldn’t piece everything together. Being patient and trying different angles, improving bit by bit, has allowed me to get back to where I am today.

Q: How difficult was the recovery process from the wrist injury, and what was the toughest part of getting back to competitive sharpness?

A: Coming back from any injury is challenging, especially a wrist injury. Golf really overworks the wrist, and aside from physio, rest is the next best thing. It was tough to force myself not to practice, but it taught me how to practice strategically. I had to plan my sessions more carefully, yet also enough to keep progressing. It was a tough hurdle, but it taught me a lot about patience.

Q: Did you make any specific changes to your training, swing, or course strategy during your comeback that you feel are paying off now?

A: Yes. Planning my training schedule – including physio sessions – was key to recovering properly while still feeling productive. I also worked a lot on my mental game, feeding myself positive thoughts and learning how to regulate my emotions.

Q: Winning twice in two weeks is a huge confidence boost. How does this momentum shape your goals for the rest of the season?

A: It sets me up nicely, both mentally and physically, for the Maybank Asean Qualifiers. I want to learn from these past two weeks, break down my stats, identify areas to sharpen up, and understand how I handled my emotions. The goal is to get stronger mentally.

Q: With your game trending upwards again, what are the next tournaments or targets you’re focusing on?

A: Next is the Maybank Asean Qualifiers on Aug 11–12. So, I’m working hard for that. One of my goals this year is to qualify for the Maybank Championship (on the LPGA Tour). I’m going to prepare as best as I can and then leave everything out on the course when it’s time to compete.