Thailand Maintains Clubhouse Lead At The Nomura Cup 2017

Kuala Lumpur, November 11, 2017 – Thailand continues to dominate the Nomura Cup 2017 at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club and maintaining their clubhouse lead after carding a blizzard of birdies to finish 11–stroke ahead of their nearest competitor, Japan. Thailand finished 15-under-par 201 today to sit comfortably at the top of the leaderboard. Thailand’s Kammalas Namuangruk shot 8-under-par-64 while Atiruj Winaicharoenchai’s eagle at hole 15 lowered his score to 4-under-par-68. SEA Games Gold Medallist Kosuke Hamamoto finished with 3-under-par-69 and Sadom Kaewkanja scored 2-under-par-70.

The players are making the most of the sunny day after a passing rain shower as birdies are going in from everywhere. The rain came with a vengeance after the game concluded for the day.

Malaysian Afif Fathi continued to play brilliantly in the Championship firing 9 birdies to finish 13-under-par-203 three-day tournament total. Afif Fathi currently sits at 3rd place 3-stroke behind leader Kammalas Namuangruk of Thailand and 1-stroke behind second place Kazuya Osawa of Japan.

“I had good iron shots and putted really well today,” said Afif Fathi after his round today. “I got into a nice rhythm crossing over into the back nine and rolling some putts in. I am glad to finish with a nice three.”

Afif Razif managed to even out his game after a disastrous double bogey at hole 3 to finish even-par-72 today while both Chan Tuck Soon and Rhassrikhanesh could not only manage 2-over-par 74 .

Malaysia’s total score after Round 3 of the Championship is 11-under-par-637 (211, 216, 210) which placed them at 9th place to tie with India.

“Afif Fathi’s putting has certainly improved day by day,” said Rahizam Ramli, Coach of the Malaysian Team. “If he maintains his fine form, he can certainly shoot under in the final round. I hope the other members in the Team will also score under to ensure that we finish in the top 10.”

Defending champion, Japan took over South Korea’s spot to finish second after carding 33-under-par 615 three-day tournament total. Japan was represented by Kazuya Osawa (68, 66, 68 – 202), Daiki Imano (71, 67, 67-205), Takumi Kanaya (72, 71, 67- 210), and Keita Nakajima (70, 74, 72 – 216).

Conducted by the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA), the Asia Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Nomura Cup is a 72-hole stroke play event being played on the par-72, 6,991-yard Jack Nicklaus Course at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club. The 92-player field features top male amateurs from Australia, Bahrain, Chinese –Taipei, China, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Kyrgysztan and the host, Malaysia who are members of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation.

Considered as one of the most prestigious amateur golf team championships in the region, the Nomura Cup is often regarded as the final benchmark for top amateur players contemplating their next move in the game. Often, it serves as the ultimate checkpoint for these players before setting on their journey in the paid ranks.

Kammalas Namuangruk of Thailand led the 92-player field with 16-under-par 200 (64, 72, 64).

Final round tee times for the 28th Nomura Cup at Kuala Lumpur will run from 7.30-10.05 a.m., off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at the Sungai Long Golf & Country Club Jack Nicklaus course. For more information, please contact Bambang at 6017-2583826.

Top 3 Results

Team

Thailand (-44) – 204, 199, 201 – 604
Japan – 209, 204, 202 – 615
South Korea (-27) – 207, 205, 209 – 621
Individual

Kammalas Namuangruk (Thailand): 64, 72, 64 – 200 (-16)
Kazuya Osawa (Japan): 68, 66, 68 – 202 (-14)
Afif Fathi (Malaysia): 68, 71, 64 – 203 (-13)