Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Malaysian amateur standouts Anson Yeo and Nathan Wong upstaged a strong field of professionals at the Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy, topping the 54-hole event with matching nine-under-par totals at Saujana Golf & Country Club.
Three-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) participant Yeo won the ensuing play-off with a chip-in birdie at the first extra hole, clinching his first-ever professional win. The duo had finished regulation play in the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour event one stroke ahead of two-time Asian Development Tour winner Shahriffuddin Ariffin, and well clear of other Malaysian stalwarts such as Asian Tour winners Danny Chia and Ben Leong.
With superb scores of 67 and 66 in his first two rounds, Yeo looked to be on cruise control in his drive to the title with a five-stroke lead over Shahriffuddin. However, a nervous start with a double-bogey at the first hole set the scene for an exciting final day under ominously dark skies. Yeo’s closing 74 allowed Wong to catch him with an impressive 67, while Shahriffuddin narrowly missed out on the play-off with his final round 70.
“I had a bad start with the double-bogey and Nathan played well. I was nervous in the play-off and kind of duffed my five-iron second shot, which just got over the water. Thankfully I managed to chip in from about 30 feet,” said Yeo.
“This is my first time wining a pro event and I’m very happy. My putter was working really well – I had no three-putts at all this week,” added the 18-year-old.
Yeo competed in the last three editions of the AAC with his best finish of tied 29th coming on debut at Amata Spring in Thailand in 2022. He also took part in the AAC Academy programme at Amata Spring that year.
“Playing in big tournaments like the AAC really helped me a lot, especially the mental aspect of the game. You learn how to calm yourself down, even with so much going on around you,” Yeo noted.
Despite proving that he has what it takes to match the nation’s leading professionals, Yeo will stay in the amateur ranks for the time being as he intends to play for Malaysia in this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. “I will also stay amateur for the 2026 Malaysia Games and we'll see how it goes after that,” he said.
Wong meanwhile underlined his immense potential with a performance that belied his tender age of 15. Wong has enjoyed a string of fine results over the last few years, including a tied-11th finish in the 2024 APGC Junior Championship at Manila Southwoods.
