Race for Southeast Asian Bragging Rights Heats Up

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Yue Yin-ho and Sophie Han are on course for a Hong Kong China double at the South East Asian Amateur Golf Team Championships.

Heading into Thursday’s final round at The Mines Resort Golf Club, Yue and Han lead the individual standings in the 60th Putra Cup and 12th Santi Cup respectively.

However, despite their best efforts, it’s Indonesia (Putra Cup) and Thailand (Santi Cup) who are on the top of the leaderboards in the team events.

In the Putra Cup in which the best three daily scores in each four-man team are counted, Yue’s Hong Kong China team are in fourth place on 641 – 16 strokes adrift of runaway leaders Indonesia, but just five behind second-placed Vietnam and four in arrears to the Philippines in third.

While the Indonesian quartet of Gabriel Hansel Hari, Randy Bintang, Jonathan Hartono and Rayhan Latief have raced into a seemingly unassailable 11-stroke lead, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong China and hosts Malaysia (643) will all be attempting to bridge the gap in the closing round.

Yue, who has improved his score each day with rounds of 72, 68 and 67, is one shot ahead of Latief (208) with Hari (209), Bintang (210) and Joaquin Hernandez of the Philippines (211) hot on his heels.

Yue said: “The course has tested my skills, and every round feels like a new challenge. With one day left, I’m concentrating on staying calm and playing my natural game.”

Following rounds of 65, 74 and 69 on day three, Han leads the way in the Santi Cup, two shots ahead of Malaysian Ng Jing Xuen with Thai Suvichaya Vinijchaitham a further stroke back in third.

In the team event in which the best two daily scores from each team of three are counted, the Thai trio of Suvichaya, Thitikarn Thapasit and Pimpisa Rubrong hold a two-shot advantage over Hong Kong China (427) with Malaysia still very much in contention in third (428).

Han, joint third in this year’s Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, said: “The Mines Resort Golf Club provides a perfect blend of challenge and beauty. Leading into the final day, I’m focused on ensuring each shot counts.”

In the 14th Lion City Cup, for boys under 16, the Thailand team of Krittipong Kamlagkee, Siradech Chanha and Teerawut Boonseor is in front on 435, followed by the Philippines (442), Malaysia (443) and Vietnam (446).

Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Son is the leading individual on 215, three strokes clear of second-placed Siradech. “To be leading amid such talent is humbling. I’m eager to bring forth my best in the final showdown,” said Duc Son.

Thailand is also maintaining its lead in the eighth Kartini Cup, for girls under 16.

Achiraya Sriwong, Prim Prachnakorn and Satonkan Thiengsri have combined for a three-day total of 432 and a 12-shot lead from second-placed Singapore for whom Chen Xingtong continues to impress.

With a 54-hole aggregate of two-under-par 211 (73, 69, 69), Chen is six shots clear of Thais Achiraya and Satonkan. “The journey has been incredible so far. I’m thrilled with my performance and am preparing mentally and physically for the concluding day,” said Chen.