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Monday, 19 July 2010

Golf: Sivachandran Clinches Negeri Sembilan Masters Title


S. Sivachandran, the Negeri Sembilan Master Invitational Champion. Pic: Hamzah MD Som
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- Rain on the final day of the Negeri Sembilan Masters Invitational 2010 did not damper S. Sivachandran's impressive performance.

According to the organiser, Sivachandran, 31, led from day one and was consistent throughout the week and with an eight-stroke advantage at the start of the final round, was hardly challenged.

In today's final round held at the Seremban International Golf Club (SIGC), he chalked up a three-under-par 69 for a total of 18-under 270 to win the title comfortably by 12 shots, becoming the first Malaysian player to win the event since its inception in 2005.

Sivachandran's four-day score was also a new championship record.

"Obviously I'm delighted to win especially since I'm the first local to win. My score of 18-under-par 270 is my personal best since I turned professional in 2006," said Sivachandran adding that the win today was a belated wedding present for him.

For his feat, Sivachandran pocketed RM78,500 and is the first Malaysian to win the championship. He received an additional RM10,000 bonus from Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The win put him in the championship's winners circle that includes Toshiyuki Wasa from Japan (2005), M. Murugiah of Singapore (2006), the Philippines' Juvic Pagunsan (2007), Benjie Magada (2008) and Singapore's Lam Chih Bing in 2009.

Two other local players, Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari and Iain Steel ended their round sharing second placing with defending champion, Lam on six-under-par par 282, each earning RM36,250.

FINAL ROUND RESULTS: (Malaysians unless stated)

270 - S.Sivachandhran 66-66-69-69;

282 - Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 72-71-70-69,

Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari 68-70-73-71, Iain Steel 70-71-70-71;

283 - R. Nachimuthu 73-72-70-68, Airil Rizman Zahari 70-70-74-69, T.J. Kim (KOR) 70-73-67-73;

284 - Takafumi Kawane (JPN) 69-74-72-69, Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (THA)73-71-69-71, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 71-69-73-71.

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