Japan’s Naoki Sekito endured a nervy finish to win by two shots in the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis today, maintaining his overnight lead and holding off a hard-charging Aaron Wilkin to secure victory with a final tournament score of 199.

“I can’t explain how happy I feel right now,” said Sekito after his round. “The last couple of holes I wasn’t that nervous but my putting wasn’t good today.

“I knew some guy in front of me had finished at nine under so I wanted to go with 11 under to the last hole because I knew that I was going to be so nervous for the last putt.”

Opening with a string of eight pars, Sekito (68) posted his first birdie on the ninth hole, just as Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu had drawn level and was threatening to edge in front.

Playing in the final group, both birdied the 10th but two holes later their fortunes diverged, with Sekito scoring birdie on the par five 12th.

Aaron Wilkin of Australia pictured in action during the OB Golf Championshp at Gunung Geulis Golf Club on September 27, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Wu could only make bogey, the first of five dropped shots he would face in the following four holes, which saw him drop to a share of fifth place in the US$75,000 Asian Development Tour event.

Sekito was also not without a closing stretch wobble on holes 14 and 15, making consecutive bogeys just as Australia’s Wilkin, winner of the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam earlier this month, was posting the lowest score of the day with a flawless, seven-birdie 63.

“Until hole 14 I didn’t miss any greens today, then on 14 I was in the bunker of the left side, my par putt was about 10 feet but I didn’t make it, which was OK because it was a difficult putt.

Denwit Boriboonsub of Thailand pictured in action during the OB Golf Championshp at Gunung Geulis Golf Club on September 27, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

“On 15, I hit a six iron, good shot, less than 15 feet. Actually an easy putt up hill but I hit it too hard, then five feet back I missed. After that I was worried because 16 is one of the difficult holes but I knew I could not change two bogeys so I tried to forget about it,” he explained.

“By the time I hit my tee shot on 16 I had forgotten already, that was the reason I could make birdie on 17,” he added.

Wilkin, who started the day four groups behind the leaders, would have been hoping for a strong performance to repeat his success in Vietnam, but a difficult second day put paid to his chances of outright victory.

He ended the day in a tie for second with Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (68) on 201 strokes over the three rounds on the Gunung Geulis West Course.

Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij of Thailand pictured in action during the OB Golf Championshp at Gunung Geulis Golf Club on September 27, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

In solo fourth spot was Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (64) who finished on 202, followed by compatriots Vanchai Luangnitikul (68) and Wu (70) and China’s Andy Zhang (70) one shot behind on 203.

In eighth spot with 204 strokes were Sarun Sirithon (68) of Thailand, Australia’s Deyen Lawson (69) and Minhyeok Yang (69) of Korea.

Justin Quiban (67) of the Philippines and Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol (67) rounded out the top 12 finishers with a final score of 205.

The next round of the 2023 season takes place from October 4-6 with the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentual Highlands Golf Club.

The US$ 70,000 event will be played over three rounds at Sentul Highlands and is the eighth event so far this year on the Asian Development Tour.

Tournament leader Naoki Sekita showed the signs of a renewed commitment to the Asian Development Tour today, building on an overnight lead with a three-under-par round of 67 to take top spot into Friday’s final round at the OB Golf Championship.

The young Japanese golfer, winner of the 2019 ADT Order of Merit, posted four birdies with just a single dropped shot to secure a two shot lead over the rest of the field in this US$70,000 ADT event.

China’s Andy Zhang (65) posted the low round of the day with six birdies and a single bogey to secure second spot with Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu (69), who shared the lead after the first day with Sekito at Gunung Geulis on the West Course.

“It was pretty windy in the afternoon and then there were some difficult pin placements,” said Sekito after his round. “I shot six under yesterday, but I’m happy with three under today,” he added.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy tomorrow. I’m leading by two but on this course it’s very easy to lose two shots so I just want to focus on every shot, try not to make any mistakes,” he said.

Ekpharit Wu of Thailand pictured in action during the second round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 28, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Winner on the Gunung Geulis East Course in 2019, Sekito has decided to forgo next season on the Japan Golf Tour in favour of playing on the ADT and the Asian Tour.

“This is my first time when I haven’t played Japan Tour Q-School but I’m hoping to play more in Asia this year. There are about the same number of tournaments but the prize money is higher in Asia,” he explained.

“I could have been playing on three tours next year if I went to Japan Tour Q-School, like I did in 20-21. Now I want to pick one tour to play, I played well in Vietnam so now I have the chance to get in the top ten so I made the decision to play here.”

Zhang, who is playing in Asia for the first time this year, is also looking to build his career playing with the ADT.

“It was a pretty challenging round today and yesterday with how how hard the wind was blowing,” said Zhang after his round, “but I just really tried to stay patient because I know how “funky” this course can get and how much slope is on the greens.

“It’s my first season playing ADT, my first season ever playing in Asia in general, and I’ve been loving it,” he explained.

“I’m really glad I had the opportunity this year to do this because it’s a consistent schedule to play with pretty high-level competition. I’m making a lot of progress and feel I’m just getting better as each event goes by.”

Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (69) leads a group in fourth place on five under par, together with Minhyeok Yang (69) of Korea and Australia’s Deyen Lawson (68).

Sarun Sirithon (69) of Thailand sits in solo seventh place, followed by Malaysia’s Ervin Chang (69) and the Thai duo of Nattawat Suvajanakorn (70) and Denwit Boriboonsub (68).

In 11th spot on two under par are Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanphiboonkij (70), Nopparat Panichphol (67) and Thanpisit Omsin (68), alongside Hanbo Lee (69) of South Africa, Justin Quiban (70) of the Philippines and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (71), winner of the BRG Open Championship in Vietnam last month.

The cut was made after two rounds at +4, leaving 59 players to battle it out for the honours in the final day of the tournament on Friday, with the first groups off the tee at 6.31am

Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu made a strong start at the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis Country Club today, posting a six-under-par round of 66 to secure the early clubhouse lead which he shares with Japan’s Naoki Sekito.

A solid driving game and an early eagle helped Wu around the West Course, along with the acquired knowledge of playing the course recently.

“My driver was very good today, easy to make birdies,” he said after his round. “I played here for the first time last month (at The Indonesia Pro-Am Presented by Combiphar & Nomura), so this time I knew a lot more about the course which made it easier to plan.”

“The course knowledge helped me think about what I had to do and helped me focus, so I didn’t worry so much about the penalty areas. I did what I had to do.”

Naoki Sekito of Japan pictured in action during the first round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 27,2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

With just 27 putts and one dropped shot today at the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event, which is being played over 54 holes, Wu knows he is on the right track.

“I think this time the course is better, the grass has grown a bit and the greens are a little bit softer so its possible to be a bit more aggressive. The speed was good which made it easy to putt.

“I’ve been trying to focus on every part of my game,” he said, ” and trying to make the best of what I have. Tomorrow, I’m just going to try to do the same and do my best.”

Sekito joined Wu as the clubhouse leader shortly afterwards. “It was a good round today,” he explained after his round. “I holed some difficult putts, not long putts but some downhill with a lot of break. I played here last month and my putting was really bad so I tried to focus on that today.

“I changed my putter,” he added, going on to explain that his father had helped him overcome a poor run of form. “Last week I played a Japan Tour event and I also putted really bad, my dad was watching and he suggested I change. I didn’t want to but it really worked today.”

Amir Nazrin of Malaysia pictured in action during the first round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 27,2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Sekito, who won on the course on the East Course at the Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational in 2019, said his familiarity with the venue made it easier.

“I feel at home here, having won here before, it gives me a lot of confidence and I feel comfortable. The greens are a bit slower than last month but still difficult, and it’s windy. Playing aggressively here is not good. It’s a short golf course but you need to be very patient and calm down.

Sekito also had a secret source of local knowledge, as his caddy was a Japanese fan living in Indonesia. They met at the Indonesian Open last year and became friends, which led to a chance to caddy in Thailand at Q-School this year.

“He knows my golf well, so he can give me some good advice, plus he knows this course very well so he was able to help me a lot today,” he explained.

Behind the leaders, sitting two strokes off the lead, is a group incorporating the Malaysian duo of Amir Nazrin and Muhammad Danial Faidz, Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul, Minhyeok Yang of Korea, Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall and Sydney Chung of the USA.

Naraajie Ramadhanputra of Indonesia pictured in action during the first round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 27,2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

One shot further back is Indonesia’s rising star Naraajie Ramadhanputra, Australia’s Deyen Lawson and compatriot Aaron Wilkin who won in Vietnam at the BRG Open Golf Championship in Da Nang earlier this month. They are accompanied by Thailand’s Sarun Sirithon and Nattawat Suvajanakorn and Japan’s Shinichi Mizuno.

The three-day tournament continues tomorrow on the West Gourse of Gunung Geulis Country Club with a cut of the top 50 players and ties after the conclusion of play continuing to the final round.

Australia’s Aaron Wilkin shot a scintillating bogey-free round to win the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam today, posting the lowest score of the day to smash a seven shot deficit and seize victory.

Overnight leader Deyen Lawson was unable to capitalise on his advantage in the US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event and posted a one-over-par 73 to finish in solo second, one shot behind Wilkin on 207.

Saptak Talwar (68) of India and Naoki Sekito (74) of Japan were three shots further back in third place on 210.

Deyen Lawson of Australia pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang 2023. Picture courtesy BRG Golf Resort Da Nang.

Starting in the third from last group, Wilkin knew he was a long way back from the leaders but trusted his game and hoped the last few holes on the Nicklaus Course at Da Nang Golf Resort would play into his hands.

“I’m a little bit nervous at the moment,” he said after posting his score and waiting for the remaining golfers to complete their rounds.

“It was bit tricky, I haven’t seen the scores yet but there were a few tough pins and the wind was swirling there a little bit, so yeah I’ll take seven under.”

“I think I was seven back after yesterday. I knew I had to go low, but I didn’t think it was out of my reach. I was hoping it would be a tough finish which would maybe bring a few of them back.

Joe Heraty of England pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang 2023. Picture courtesy BRG Golf Resort Da Nang.

“I played to my game plan. It doesn’t always go the way you map it out but today it did, so I’m pretty happy with that,” said Wilkin, adding that his putting was key to his low score.

“I’ve been struggling with my putting and I’ve been waiting for a day when they all go in. They didn’t all go in today but they pretty much did. I had some good par saves and then I holed the putt on the last which was probably a bit lucky, I was nervous and my hands were shaking,” he added.

First round leader, England’s Joe Heraty (74) was one who was caught out by the tricky final holes on the Nicklaus Course. Three dropped shots in the final five holes added to his woes and he finished in a group in fifth on five under with Malaysia’s Galven Green (72) and Tunyapat Sukkoed (69) of Thailand.

Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Anh Minh pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang 2023. Picture courtesy BRG Golf Resort Da Nang.

Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Anh Minh posted a final round 68 to compensate for his two opening rounds on par. The talented youngster, who scored a bronze medal in the Men’s Indivdual event at this year’s SEA Games, finished in solo eighth place.

In ninth place, on three under, were Thailand’s Pisitchai Thippong (68), Sangchai Kaewcharoen (68) and Thanpisit Omsin (71), together with Paul San (67) of Malaysia, Ireland’s Kevin Phelan (75) and Naraajie Ramadhanputra (70) of Indonesia.

Australia’s Deyen Lawson staked a claim to the tournament going into the final round of the BRG Open Golf Championship today, posting a six under par 66 to secure a two shot lead over the field.

His bogey-free round (66) put him at -10 after two rounds, ahead of Japan’s Naoki Sekito (68) and Justin Quiban (66) of the Philippines, and has set him up well going into the weekend at the US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event.

“All parts of my game were pretty solid,” he said after his round. “It’s a demanding course so I felt my course management was quite good.

“The course is in great condition and it’s a great layout. It was quite warm out there and staying hydrated is very important,” he added.

“I hit a solid 4 iron into the last hole that I was very happy about to finish and set up a two putt birdie. Tomorrow is no different to any other day, I’ll just go and play and stick to my process and have fun,” he said.

Sekito had a problematic start, despite a birdie on the first hole. He dropped four shots on holes three and four but was able to recover with four birdies and an eagle on the par five 18th to take a share of second with Quiban.

Justin Quiban of the Philippines pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang 2023. Picture courtesy BRG Golf Resort Da Nang.

Overnight leader Joe Heraty (70) of England dropped a couple of shots on his front nine, but a mix of five birdies against another two bogeys coming in was enough to keep him in solo fourth on seven under par.

In fifth spot, Ireland’s Kevin Phelan (70) sits on six under, followed by Malaysia’s Galven Green (69) and Andy Zhang (68) of China who share sixth place on five under par.

Samarth Dwivedi (70) of India posted a second round of two under par to secure solo eighth, followed by Aaron Wilkin (68) of Australia on three under par in ninth place.

The group in tenth spot on two under par includes Daniel Core (72) of Canada, Jack Murdoch (69) of Australia, the Indian duo of Khalin Joshi (69) and Saptak Talwar (69), and Thailand’s Thanpisit Osmin (68), Tunyapat Sukkoed (70) and Nopparat Panichphol (74).

Recently bolstered by the additional sponsorship provided by Vietnam’s SeABank, the BRG Open Golf Championship is in its second year on the Asian Development Tour, and there are plans to include more future events in an emerging golf market.

Play continues tomorrow on the challenging Nicklaus course, one of the longest tracks in Asia and the first true Florida-style bulkhead course in Southeast Asia.

The tournament boasts a diverse international field of 144 players from across the region, including 99 ADT members who play alongside 20 professionals nominated by the Vietnam Golf Association. A total of 56 players made the cut, which fell at +2.