Ex-Amateur Stalwart Foo Fires on all Cylinders

Singapore: Gregory Foo produced one of the rounds of his life to claim victory in the second leg of the Singapore Pro Series Invitational presented by FTAG.

The former amateur stalwart who led Singapore to the team gold at the 2017 Southeast Asia Games and was a two-time Asia-Pacific representative in the Bonallack Trophy fired a stunning closing eight-under-par 64 at Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines Course.

In so doing, he repelled the challenge of Mardan Mamat to secure a win that he hopes will be a catalyst for further success.

“It’s my best ever score on this course in a tournament. It’s an amazing personal achievement for me and I hope this will propel my golf journey,” said Foo, who improved on his opening-day return by no fewer than 11 strokes.

First-round leader Mardan, the only Singaporean to win on the European Tour, signed for a 69 to finish second on 141 with Mitchell Slorach a further five strokes back in third.

With a birdie on 16, Foo took the lead for the first time and headed to the final tee with a one-stroke advantage. There, he sealed the win with another birdie while Mardan could only manage a par.

Amanda Tan, fresh from her appearance in the HSBC Women’s World Championship, was the leading female in fourth place overall on 148 while Ryan Ang and Hiroshi Tai were the highest-placed amateurs, in a share of sixth spot on 151.

Ang said: “To be able to go head-to-head with the pros in these tough course conditions helped me realise what I need to improve to become a better golfer. I’m grateful to everyone who made this series possible and for the opportunity to play at such amazing courses.”

Launched this year by the Singapore Golf Association, the series consists of eight 36-hole legs held across two venues – Sentosa Golf Club and Tanah Merah Country Club.

Global sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE is event manager for the series, which aims to provide 18 Singapore professionals and six local national amateurs who aspire to be Tour professionals, the chance to compete during the on-going global pandemic.

Each leg offers a prize fund of S$10,600 with earnings counting towards the ‘Race to FTAG Cup’. The winner of the Order of Merit will receive a bonus of S$10,000.