AAC Alumnus Varadan claims Maiden Pro Win

Long An, Vietnam: Malaysian Khavish Varadan broke through for his maiden professional victory at the Asian Development Tour’s Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters, edging Thailand’s Jazz Janewattanond on the second play-off hole.

A two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) participant, Varadan carded rounds of 67, 69 and 65 for a 15-under-par total at Royal Long An Golf & Country Club.

Trailing pace-setting Jonathan Wijono of Indonesia by one shot heading into the third and final round, Khavish caught fire on the final nine holes with an eagle and four birdies to set the clubhouse target.

The vastly-experienced Jazz, meanwhile, birdied three of his last four holes for a closing 67, forcing sudden-death. Wijono settled for joint third on 12-under after a closing 71.

At the Tour’s season-opening PKNS Selangor Masters in Malaysia, Varadan agonisingly lost a three-hole play-off to Singapore’s Nicklaus Chiam. This time around, the Malaysian came out on top with a tap-in par after Janewattanond failed to get up-and-down on the second extra hole.

“It feels great. It’s always special to win a golf tournament against a strong field, and to get my first professional victory means a lot. I’ve been knocking on the door for a while, so it’s nice to finally get it done,” said Varadan.

“I thought, here we go again! But honestly, I felt more comfortable this time. Not that I wasn’t before, but I felt more settled. Hopefully I don’t have to be in too many more play-offs — it would be nice to get the job done a bit quicker,” added the long-hitting 25-year-old.

Varadan competed in two editions of the AAC, finishing as best Malaysian in joint 18th place at Dubai Creek in 2021. In 2022 at Thailand’s Amata Spring Country Club, he was forced to withdraw following the second round due to a neck injury.

Following a highly-decorated spell on the US collegiate circuit in University of Alabama colours, Varadan joined the paid ranks in early 2024. He currently also holds an Asian Tour card, thanks to his joint 22nd finish in qualifying school final stage.