Thailand’s Tawit Polthai held his nerve through a tough finishing stretch to triumph in the 2025 PKNS Selangor Masters, winning by three strokes in the Asian Development Tour’s opening event of the season.

With four birdies in his first six holes, Tawit (69) looked locked in for the win, at one point extending his lead to seven shots over his nearest rivals. However a run of bogeys on 11, 12 and 14 left the door ajar for second place finisher Juvic Pagunsan (66) of the Philippines.

Pagunsan, who posted six birdies to close within two shots of Tawit, looked set to build pressure in the closing stretch, but his first bogey of the day on 16 put paid to his chances and allowed Tawit the space to par his way home for his maiden ADT victory.

“I’ve waited a long time to win on the ADT,” said Tawit after his round, “and I’m very, very happy now I’ve finally made it. It’s a good start to the season.”

“It was almost there but I missed my second shot in on 16,” said Pagunsan. “I made a bogey and he made a par, which was the turning point. I’m so happy with my scoring right now, and with second place, its been a good week,” he added.

Having made it into the event at the last minute with an invite, Tawit admitted the first two rounds were tough, and said yesterday after taking the lead that his primary aim was to just make the cut.

“I felt a little bit of pressure for the first two rounds because i had an invite for this tournament,” he explained, “but after the first two rounds it just went from there.”

The Seri Selangor course lived up to its reputation as a tough challenge in the US$200,000 tournament, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of Malaysia, and despite scores staying low, the scorecards featured as many bogeys as birdies over the course of the event.

Poom Pattarapong (66) of Thailand recovered well after opening with two bogeys, knocking in seven birdies over the course of his round to take solo third spot, and share the low round of the day honours with Juvic, Yanhan Zhou of Xhina and Korea’s Minwook Gwon.

Early contender Runchanapong Youprayong (69) of Thailand posted his fourth round in the sixties which was enough to secure him fourth spot and the comfort that his game is sharpening up after the season break.

In fifth spot, Zhou shared the position with Shotaro Ban (68) of the USA and Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra (71), who was unable to rekindle the magic that scored him an unoffical course record in Round Two.

First round leader Amarin Kraivixien (71) of Thailand finished with a share of eighth place, alongside compatriot Jakraphan Premsirigorn (72), and two shots ahead of Spain’s Pep Angles (68) in 10th spot.

Malaysian amateur Hariz Hezri (72) finished in 11th place, together with Gwon, with Korea’s Minhyeok Yang (74) in solo 13th.

Tiued for 14th place were Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (69), Australia’s Deyen Lawson (71) and the Thai trip of Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng (69), Itthipat Buranatanyarat (70) and Natipong Srithong (73).

With the 2025 ADT season starting to take shape, the next scheduled and confirmed event is the Lexus Challenge at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram in Vietnam, which is scheduled for March 19-21.

Thailand’s Tawit Polthai continued the fine form he discovered yesterday, posting another low round to move into a commanding five shot lead heading into the final round of the 2025 PKNS Selangor Masters.

The 30-year-old Thai, who finished fourth in this event in 2023, showed he was getting to grips with the Seri Selangor Golf Club course, and after posting 65 will be fancying his chances of clinching his first Asian Development Tour title.

“Today wasn’t a good start for the first four holes,” he said. “One bogey but then on the par fives, one eagle and one birdie and then my game came back until the 17th, and I just made one bogey on the last hole,” he added.

“I felt a lot of pressure in the first two rounds, just wanting to make the cut, but now its good to be the leader,” he said. “Tomorrow I will just try to focus on my game, try to do the same as the first three days,” he said.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra (72) was unable to capture the magic of yesterday’s unofficial club record 63 and finished one over par for the day in solo second place, a final hole bogey putting the seal on a round that never really got going.

In third spot, Juvic Pagunsan (67) of the Philippines sits at eight under alongside the Thai duo of Jakraphan Premsirigorn (69) and Runchanapong Youprayong (69)

The US$200,000 tournament is the season-opener of the ADT, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf of Malaysia, and many players are shaking the rust from their game after the holiday.

Thailand’s Amarin Kraivixien (68), who held the co-lead after round one, saw his game slip away with a 71 yesterday, but was making a defiant comeback until a double on the last brought him back down to earth.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra pictured in action during the third round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

He sits in solo sixth place and will be hoping his return to form coninues when play gets underway in the final round.

In seventh place, on six under par, Korea’s Minhyeok Yang (67) rests alongside England’s Sam Broadhurst, who shot the low round of the day with a 63, alongside Thailand’s Poom Pattarapong (69) and Shotaro Ban (70) of the USA.

Broadhurst, who contiunued in Asia after taking part in the Asian Tour Qualifying-School in December, said he was enjoying his time in the region.

“First time in Malaysia and I love it,” he said, “the course is great. Obviously a little bit warmer than I’m used to back home but I’m trying to deal with it as best I can.

“I just couldn’t get anything going in rounds one and two, but today was closer to what I’m used to in terms of how well I hit it,” he said. “I managed to hit fairways, hit greens and take advantage where I could,” he added.

Malaysian amateur Hariz Hezri (66) lies in solo 11th spot on five under, having made a resolute comeback from a disappointing 73 in Round Two.

With round three complete, the final round will begin tomorrow at 7.51am off two tees, with the leading group of Tawit, Pagunsan and Ramadhanputra heading out at 9.30am.

Main picture: Thailand’s Tawit Polthai pictured in action during the third round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra turned up the heat in the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters today, with an eagle and six birdies to take a two shot lead into the final rounds of the opening event in the 2025 Asian Development Tour season.

Starting on hole one, his 63 was the low round of the day, edging him ahead of Thailand’s Tawit Polthai (64) who posted an unblemished seven birdies at the Seri Selangor Golf Club in the US$200,000 ADT event, co-sanctioned with the domestic Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.

“I shot five under on the front and three under on the back so a lot of good shots in the first nine, made one eagle also,” said Naraajie after his round. “On the back nine I was just kind of hanging in there, made a lot of pars and made a long birdie putt also,” he added.

“Today I putted really well,” he explained. “I made a lot of short putts, saved pars and made long putts for birdie also so I’m pretty happy with the way I putted today,” he said.

While not official due to the preferred lies ruling in place, Naraajie’s round matched the Seri Selangor course record of 63, recorded first by Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the 2008 Selangor Masters, followed by 2009 winner Rick Kulacz of Australia when it was an Asian Tour event.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong (68) was the early clubhouse leader and ended the day with a share of third place on six under, alongside compatriot Jakraphan Premsirigorn (68) who matched scores with four birdies and one dropped shot in their rounds.

With all players getting back into the game and shaking out the rust after the season break, Runchanapong was another who started to settle more into his game as the tournament progressed.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

“I feel like it was a little bit better than yesterday,” Runchanapong said after his round. “Yesterday was a little bit shaky to start, because I took a one month break and then came back and worked on my swing, so everything’s just starting to get into place at the moment.

“Today I was able to control myself and my mental side, and also I hit the driver pretty well, so that helps. I didn’t make a lot of putts, but rolled a birdie in on 18 so that helps makes lunch a bit better,“ he laughed.

American Shotaro Ban (69) holds solo fifth place on five under par going into round three, an early double bogey on his second hole made him work hard for his place, making the turn at par and eventual finish at two under for the day.

In sixth spot, on four under par, the group includes Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong (68) and overnight leader Amarin Kraivixien (71), who was unable to capitalise on his lead with an even par score.

Also in sixth spot are Malaysia’s Zia Izzuddeen (71), teenage Japanese amateur Daichi Hayashi (71) and Juvic Pangunsan (66) of the Philippines, and Italy’s Luca Cianchetti (65) who is making his debut on the ADT and enjoying his break from Europe.

Thailand’s Tawit Polthai pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

“Last year I played mainly on the Challenge and Alps tour,” he said, “and then at the end of the year, I played Q School. And then suddenly I decided, ‘Okay, I want to try the Asian tour, to breathe some different air, some fresh air, and I kind of like it over here.

“I’ve been in Thailand and I’ve been here, so I’m pretty happy to get the card for ADT and compete this year,” he added.

“I’m really glad for this round today. I like the people around here, they’re kind so I’m happy to stick around here. This golf course is quite amazing. It was really, really hard today so I’m really pleased with my round of 66,” he said.

“The courses in Asia, obviously, are really different. The grasses are different here. A lot of Bermuda, a lot of grain on the greens. I feel like the courses that I have played are a little bit longer than the ones in Europe that I used to play and I think they kind of fit my game a little bit more,” he added.

With the cut made at +3, 58 players will contiunue into the final two rounds. Play begins again off two tees at 7.51am local time, with the leaders hitting off at 9.30am.

Main picture: Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

Just over two years ago, Shahriffuddin Ariffin [main picture] looked to have everything going for him. Buoyed by a victory at the PKNS Selangor Masters, he went on to finish fourth on the 2022 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit to earn his Asian Tour card. Report by Jonathan Ponniah at the PKNS Selangor Masters.

Fast forward to 2025 and the easy-going Malaysian is back for the 12th staging of the Selangor Masters, which tees-off tomorrow at Seri Selangor Golf Club, in an all together different head space.

‘Dino’, as he is known to close friends and family, failed to keep his Asian Tour card following a disappointing 2024 season, lit up by occasional flashes of brilliance, and is hoping that being back on familiar ground will reignite the fire that has been missing in his game of late.

“Being back here at Seri Selangor does give me a lift,” said the 25-year-old, who finished joint ninth at last year’s championship. “I want to regain my momentum and rediscover my feel, as I have performed well at past PKNS Selangor Masters.”

Shahriffuddin Ariffin. 

Shahriffuddin has two ADT titles on his résumé, having also won the PGM Labuan Championship in 2018. What chances of another victory this week at Seri Selangor?

“I have many good memories from Seri Selangor and this week is a good chance for me to get a fresh start. I like tight courses and I’m aiming for a top-five finish to start this year. I don’t want to pressure myself too much, but If I do win, alhamdullilah,” said Shahriffuddin.

Family and friends played a huge role in keeping Shahriffuddin motivated through his on-course struggles in 2024.

“I struggled a lot last year, missing the cut narrowly in many tournaments. My swing was a bit off at the start of the year, and I had no idea why. Mentally, I was stressed due to the missed cuts. But my family was very supportive and kept encouraging me and kept praying for me, motivating me,” shared Shahriffuddin, who hails from the historic city of Malacca.

“I tried very hard to turn things around and regain my rhythm, and I had some deep conversations with my coach, caddie and family. My caddie, Firdaus, is my good friend and my former club-fitter in Malacca, so I talk with him a lot.

“Later in the year, I managed to get a bit of momentum, and I was quite satisfied with my performance in the last three months,” he added.

However, Shahriffuddin was still unable to keep his Asian Tour card and also failed to make it through December’s Qualifying School. That means the talented golfer will focus on the ADT this season.

Shahriffuddin pictured winning in 2022.

“This year I’ll be playing mainly on the ADT, and I might try to qualify for the All-Thailand Golf Tour. The ADT is the best tour for players starting out, and for players like me who are struggling to regain their form, as it gives us a chance to compete with international players,” he noted.

“I did my best to compete on the Asian Tour the last two years, but I wasn’t successful as my game was not sharp enough at that time. The level of play and pressure, the tournament set-ups, are different compared to the local tour and ADT. It’s a huge difference,” Shahriffuddin admitted.

Nevertheless, Shahriffuddin remains confident he can regain his form and relaunch his quest to play with the best, using the PKNS Selangor Masters as a launchpad.

“I am still confident that I can make it. My swing feels good right now, and I played well during the Albatross Cup earlier this month. I will try my best this week and hopefully build momentum with a good start to the year.”

Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.