Trevor Simsby (USA) – Final round 70 (-2), Total 203 (-13)

This is the biggest win I have had in my career so far. It’s just amazing where I am right now. We were just hoping to get a full round of golf in today, and just knowing that this is going to be the final round, we were just giving it our all.

The course is playing a bit harder today. You have to be really patient out there. It’s been a challenging week. I’m just ecstatic to win this. Walking off the 15^th green, my caddie told me that we’re still in it. He was saying it all day but I didn’t really think so until I birdied 16^th.

I thought we definitely have a chance. And then I made a really good par on 17. I played aggressively on the 18^th hole today. For me, I think that hole sets up better with driver just playing it up the right now.

I like just the mindset that it gives me of getting down there where I have a chance to get to the green. That was the right foot I guess, it just happened to suit my eye. I was chipping the ball amazing all week. I had two chip-ins in the second round which were huge, and it’s just amazing how it all came together nicely today.

I missed the cut in the last event on the ADT last year and just barely snuck into the top-eight on the Order of Merit. I got really motivated when I got back home to California and I met up some friends who are succeeding on the PGA TOUR as well. I just worked very hard after that and I’m just excited for the rest of the season now. I hope to keep the momentum going.

I shouldn’t have hit driver in regulation probably but you know the mind was spinning a little bit and I knew I was tied for the lead and trying to play a smart role and permit drivers to play for sure when opportunity sets.

I was just excited to even have a chance on the back nine. I made a little mistake on the par-five and I thought I was a bit out of it but I just stayed in it mentally, and somehow managed to birdie 16^th.

I turned professional at the end of 2014 and I played on the KornFerry Tour in 2015. I’ve done a little bit everything. I’ve played a little bit in Canada and South America as well. I worked at a golf course for a little while too.

I’ve done a lot in the last five years of playing professional golf and I think the experiences have made me a different person and player now, in a good way. I think it was good for me just to kind of get away from home a little bit as well and kind of be on my own.

It’s just been an incredible year last year and a half, just kind of learning how to manage the travel and I couldn’t really pay for the experience and it’s just, just being here and going through it.

I would say my preparation and practice was really good, leading up to it and I was very motivated going into the week. I will remember this week for the rest of my life. It’s incredible. I met C.T. Pan, my colleage teammate, at Torrey Pines about a month ago. He’s obviously doing fantastic.

I played against Justin Thomas and Patrick Rodgers. A lot of guys that are having success so it’s definitely motivating for sure. I’m a competitor, I have a competitive nature. I love the challenge of golf and just what it brings every day and it’s always something new. I’m kind of a perfectionist and it just, you can’t perfect this day.

It’s like, today was a great example you just, you know, you just never, you just never know I you know I thought, you know, Andrew was gonna run away with it and then all of a sudden there was three or four guys at 1300 par and you got to get a chance to win and it’s just it’s just a really unique game that we play you just, you really don’t know until the final putt drops.

Andrew Dodt (AUS) – Final round 72 (even-par), Total 203 (-13)

It was a good week. Just disappointed to finish it like that but all in all, it’s still a solid week. Hats off to Trevor Simsby. I got off to a good start.

Thinking back about the double-bogey on 15^th, I made a good bounce back with a birdie on 16. The birdie on 17^th was also quite possible but didn’t make it.

I tried to be aggressive out there today. It just got really hard on the back nine, mentally and physically. Still a lot of positives to take from this week.

Jarin Todd (USA) – Final round 70 (-2), Total 203 (-13)

Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out, you know. I hit a really good shot in regulation. I think it made the pin. It might have been different. I made a good putt there but missed it. I hit another good wedge shot there but just didn’t come back off the hill.

Lots of positives to take home from this week. Nice to go home and be in a decent spot on the final leaderboard. Thrilled to mark my  best result on Tour this week too.

Charlie Wi (KOR) – Final round 69 (-3), Total 204 (-12)

I played really well. I haven’t been in contention for a long time so I was a little nervous coming down the stretch. I guess it showed on the putt on 17^th.  And I told my caddie I just slipped up and I got so anxious, but still, it was a lot of fun to be in.

I was surprised that I got up to the top. I thought Andrew got off to a good start and was wondering what happened to him. The anxieties set in then but that’s the reason why we play.

I thought that I was going to make that putt on 17. I really had a good feeling, but you know just not being in contention, it really showed that things got the best of me. So next time I’m in that situation, I’ll handle myself better. I’m getting into golf and I’m really enjoying it.

Kosuke Hamamoto (THA) – Final round 68 (-4), Total 204 (-12)

To be honest, I was feeling quite anxious because I missed the cut last week. I didn’t play bad last week but I just got nothing going. I told myself to stay patient and it paid off today. It’s kind of my day because I made an eagle hole-out on the 12^th from about 130 yards. That was pretty nice.

Amir Nazrin (MAS) – Final round 70 (-2), Total 211 (-5)

I will take the two-under today. I made an eagle on the first which was my 10^th hole today. I tried to push myself to get more birdies out there but only managed one coming back. But overall, I’m very happy with my performance this week.

This is my first time playing in my own National Open. It’s been a good week. I love the course, the surroundings and the people. The weather hasn’t been great to us unfortunately but it’s still a great week.

I hit my driver off the tee and then an eight-iron downwind to the green. But the green was firm and I had an eagle putt from about a pin and a half which I fortunately made.

I took like three days off before my first practice round here this week. I didn’t touch the clubs. Just want to clear my mind and not stress myself with a good finish here. I love the way I hit my irons this week and also the way I putted. I could have driven the ball better.

Shah Alam, Selangor, March 7: The prestigious Bandar Malaysia Open has been reduced to 54 holes following several weather delays which saw more than 10 hours of play lost throughout the week, officials said on Saturday.

The third round of the US$1 million event, which got underway at 12.15pm local time on Saturday, was suspended for the third time this week due to lightning threats at 2.05pm, just before overnight leader Andrew Dodt of Australia was due to tee off.

With inclement weather expected on Sunday, officials made the decision to shorten the tournament at 4.30pm on Saturday and abandoned play for the day at the same time due to continued lightning activity in the area.

All 74 players, who made the halfway cut set at one-under-par 143, will resume their third and final rounds at 8.30am on Sunday with the last two groups scheduled to tee off at 8.30am and 8.40am respectively.

“The tournament has been affected by several lengthy delays and suspensions due to inclement weather throughout the week,” said Fritz Katzengruber, Tournament Director, Asian Tour.

“As a result of the delays and the disruptions that we have suffered, we have taken the decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes. The decision was made in the best interest of the tournament and our members,” Fritz added.

A total of 77 players had returned to the Kota Permai Golf & Country Club on Saturday morning to complete their second rounds, which resumed only at 8.15am local time due to a 35-minute weather delay.

At the age of 14 years and 308 days, Lo Tien Ming became the second youngest Malaysian after 2017 Order of Merit champion Gavin Green (14 years and 305 days, 2008 Johor Open) to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour at the Bandar Malaysia Open.

Dodt, who opened his campaign with a stunning 63, continued his bogey-free run when he signed for a four-under-par 68 to stay atop the leaderboard after 36 holes at the weather-disrupted Bandar Malaysia Open.

With a two-day total of 13-under-par 131, Dodt holds a one-shot edge over China’s Liu Yanwei, who had earlier impressed with a second round 65. American duo Jarin Todd and Trevor Simsby shared third place on matching 133s.

Korea’s Charlie Wi, winner of the Malaysian Open in 2006, Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino and Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby of Australia will all be within striking distance of the coveted title when play resumes on Sunday.

The highly acclaimed Bandar Malaysia Open, which boasts a new tagline ‘Pride, Passion, Prominence’, is the flagship event for the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). It returns to the Asian Tour schedule this week after a four-year hiatus.

For current standings, please click here.

Shah Alam, Selangor, March 5: Australian Andrew Dodt took advantage of a hot start to sign for an opening nine-under-par 63 and grab the clubhouse lead by two shots at the weather-disrupted Bandar Malaysia Open on Thursday.

After two opening birdies, the 34-year-old Dodt added a birdie on the sixth and an eagle-three on seventh to turn in 31. He nailed four more birdies on his way home to take his place atop the leaderboard just before play got suspended at 5.55pm local time due to lightning threats.

Andrew Dodt of Australia

Dodt, who endured two missed cuts in his first three starts this season, was thrilled to regain his fine form in Malaysia, where he had sensationally claimed his third Asian Tour victory in Sarawak last August following a two-month injury layoff.

Reigning Asian Development Tour Order of Merit champion Naoki Sekito of Japan closed with three consecutive birdies to sit in second place at the US$1 million event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

Thai duo Phachara Khongwatmai and Pavit Tangkamolprasert returned with matching 66s, thanks to their respective front and back-nine 30s, to share third place with Chinese Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun and Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School two weeks ago.

Naoki Sekito of Japan

Mohammad Wafiyuddin emerged as the best-placed Malaysian after carding a commendable 68 to tie in 13^th place at the award-winning Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, which last hosted the storied event in 2008.

A total of 51 players will resume their opening rounds at 7.40am on Friday with the second round slated to start at 7.50am.

The highly acclaimed Bandar Malaysia Open, which boasts a new tagline ‘Pride, Passion, Prominence’, is the flagship event for the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). It returns to the Asian Tour schedule this week after a four-year hiatus.

Ends.

Shah Alam, Selangor, March 5: Read what players have to say following the opening round of the Bandar Malaysia Open on Thursday.

Andrew Dodt (AUS) – First round 64 (-8)

It felt quite simple. I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens and holed a lot of putts. This is, overall, what I’ve been trying to do everyday. Just felt comfortable and easy. It’s great to shoot nine-under.

Malaysia has been a happy hunting ground for me. Today’s round is just another step in the right direction for me. I was first reserve on site when we played the Malaysian Open here back in 2008. So I just sat around the putting green the whole day and didn’t get to tee up.

I birdied the first two holes and that kind of kicked off the round for me. My game’s in a good shape. I was very aggressively on my par-fives and there weren’t too much breeze. I could get on the green in two. That certainly helps.

This course demands accuracy off the tees. If you’re not on the fairways, you’re going to struggle getting on the greens. I haven’t played as well as I can the last two weeks but now I can. I just want to keep it simple and have a bit of fun.

Andrew Dodt of Australia

Naoki Sekito (JPN) – First round 65 (-7)

It was good to finish with three birdies. I made a bad bogey on the fifth where I three-putted and I told myself to make at least one more birdie coming in. I managed to birdie the seventh hole and rode on the momentum from there. I am so happy.

I missed only one green today. I think that’s the key to my 65. I hit my irons quite close to the pins and made some good putts. I remember playing in a junior event here on this course when I was 17. I played really well but lost in a play-off.

I couldn’t speak English at that time yet. It was before I went to Australia. I only remembered playing on this course before when I came back here this week. Good vibes for me because I played well although I didn’t win at that time.

I haven’t played in a tournament for a month so it was nice to come back and get off to a good start. You need to keep the ball in play to give yourself birdie chances out there.

On the seventh, I made the birdie putt from about 15 feet and then another similar one on the eighth. On the ninth, I hit a good second shot to about two feet and made the birdie putt.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) – First round 66 (-6)

I didn’t make any putts on the first nine at all. The turning point came on the 11^th hole. I sank the birdie putt from about three yards. That gave me a lot of confidence heading into the remainder of the round. I felt like the putter is turning hot and I started making everything.

I hit it on the line on 17^th actually but the green was so firm, I knew I won’t be able to hole it especially from 200 yards. I hit it good off the tee today and I was able to give myself a lot of opportunities. My approach shots were good too. I managed to hit it close on a few holes.

Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand

Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) – First round 66 (-6)

I made a 30-footer for eagle on the first. Good start there. Gave me a lot of momentum there. I went on to make four birdies to turn in 30. The back nine was quite difficult for me because I didn’t get to practise yesterday due to the rain. I only flew in on Tuesday evening.

Even-par on the back nine, it’s not too bad. I’ll take it. I putted well today. The greens are quite difficult here. So I’m happy with the way I played.

Bjorn Hellgren (SWE) – First round 66 (-6)

It was a good round. I just tried to hit the fairways and then move on from there. I putted alright. I started from the 10th hole and didn’t make much in the beginning. I made six birdies today and pretty much hit every green.

My best birdie was on the eighth. I played it safe off the tee. I had a long shot coming into the green and I hit it really close to about five feet. This is my second time in Malaysia. I played in Malaysia last year when I got an invite to play an Asian Development Tour event.

This is my first professional event on the Asian Tour and I’m happy to get off to a good start, especially after coming through Qualifying School two weeks ago. I have been playing on the Challenge Tour in Europe before coming here. I’m based in Hua Hin, Thailand right now.

Kosuke Hamamoto (THA) – First round 67 (-5)

It was gettable conditions out there today I guess. It was not so windy, fairways are pretty soft and greens are soft on some holes too. My putting was really good today. It was nice to see some putts going in earlier which gave me a bit of confidence in the long ones.

I made a couple of long putts. I made a 20-footer for par on the 10th which was huge because it kept the momentum going. You have to keep the ball in play on this course. If you can keep it in play, it’s scorable. I’m usually a pretty good driver so I guess that’s why this course suits my eyes.

Mohammad Wafiyuddin (MAS) – First round 68 (-4)

Getting to play and practise on this course last week helped me a lot. I feel really comfortable out there. If I could hit a few more greens in regulation, I think I could go a few shots lower. My putting was key today but I’m not really happy with my iron-play.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the way I played. I don’t get to play here often because I’m from Kedah. Happy to get off to a good start in my National Open. It’s a good boost in confidence for me because I haven’t played in tournaments for about three months already.

Shah Alam, Selangor, March 4: Korean Teen wonder Joohyung Kim will resume his bid for a second Asian Tour title when he makes his maiden appearance at the Bandar Malaysia Open, which gets underway at the highly rated Kota Permai Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

The talented 17-year-old, who came close to winning in New Zealand last week before settling for fourth, hopes to make amends by putting up a strong title assault at the storied event, which returns to the Asian Tour this week after a four-year hiatus.

Kim made his mark on the region’s premier Tour when he claimed his breakthrough in India last November, just a month after securing his third victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last season to earn his Asian Tour card for the remainder of the 2019 season.

Prior to his solid fourth-place finish in New Zealand, the talented Kim also enjoyed a fourth-place result at the Singapore Open in January to secure his berth at The 149^th Open at St. George’s this July where he will be making his Major debut.

Joohyung Kim of Korea

Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby, who also came in top-10 in New Zealand last week, is looking to extend his fine form into the US$1 million event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

The 39-year-old Australian endured a slight dip in form after winning his third Asian Tour title at the season-opener in Hong Kong but was pleased to rediscover his ‘A’ game just in time for his sixth appearance at the Malaysian Open, where he came in tied-11^th in 2015.

Charlie Wi of Korea

Korea veteran Charlie Wi, who has won seven Asian Tour titles including the 2006 Malaysian Open, hailed the emergence of young talents such as Kim and reckoned they should be the players to look out for when the tournament gets underway on Thursday.

Wi returned to play on the Asian Tour after a five-year absence at the Hong Kong Open two months ago and came in tied-seventh. He denied Thai star Thongchai Jaidee of a record third straight victory in the event when he sank a 10-footer for birdie on the last to win by one shot in 2006.

The highly acclaimed Bandar Malaysia Open, which boasts a new tagline ‘Pride, Passion, Prominence’, is the flagship event for the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA).

(L-R) Joohyung Kim of Korea, Wade Ormsby of Australia, Charlie Wi of Korea and Ben Leong of Malaysia.

Shah Alam, Malaysia, March 4: Read what players have to say ahead of the Bandar Malaysia Open which starts on Thursday.

Joohyung Kim (KOR)

I played well last week in New Zealand. I took a break before that and came back not knowing what to expect. Being in contention and having a chance to win last week was just great although it was not the day I wanted to have on Sunday.

But I have a lot of hopes for this week as well. I played a lot in Malaysia when I was playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last year. To come back to Malaysia and playing on the main Tour now is really exciting for me.

The course is in great shape so I will just stick to the game plan and try to play the best that I can again this week. Driving the ball well will be the key for me. Keeping the ball in play and just working yourself around the golf course will be a huge advantage too.

I will try and stay hydrated out there. It’s really humid and hot. It’s fortunate enough for the Malaysian Open to happen given the virus crisis all over the world. I’m glad we all get to play this week.

Wade Ormsby (AUS)

It’s been a nice start to the year for me. Obviously, I had a great week in Hong Kong but didn’t play so well after that. It was a good return to form last week in New Zealand and I’m feeling good coming to Malaysia this week.

It’s always nice coming to play in Kuala Lumpur. We’ve played a lot of golf courses here and this week’s course is in great condition. The green complexes and there’s quite a bit of them so you need to be sharp around the greens here.

The course is actually not quite long which sets up well for me so I’ll just go about my business and see how it goes. You got to keep the ball in play.

It’s absolutely fantastic to have the Malaysian Open back on the schedule. It’s a great event. Seeing the trophy when we drove in this morning and seeing so many big names on it, it just feels great to be playing in such a storied event which has been around for a long time.

Charlie Wi of Korea

Charlie Wi (KOR)

I won the Malaysian Open a long time ago. I remember making a 10-footer on the last hole to win the tournament in 2006. It’s nice to be back playing in the same tournament again but I think it’s not about me anymore.

We have young players like Joohyung Kim. He’s such a great player and he has a bright future ahead. And Wade (Ormsby) is off to a good start and I wish him continued success. For me, I’m just happy to be back competing.

I haven’t played too much golf the last two and a half years. I had two kids who are 13 and 10 years old now so I was spending a lot of time with them. Getting older now, but I don’t want to say how old I am, I want to start playing a little more to get myself prepared.

It’s just nice to compete again. There’s still a lot of familiar faces and also there’s a lot of new faces and just to see and watch them play I think is enjoyable for me.

The last time I played at Kota Permai, I think Joohyung was not even born. It was in 2002 when Kevin Na won a tournament here. At that time, the trees were much smaller. And now when you drive in certain spots, the trees get in the way for your second shot so you have to strategically place your tee shots.

You have to be on the right side of the green too so I think it would be very challenging and I think it would be a good competition.

Danny Chia (MAS)

It’s great to finally play our own National Open again. I was surprised when I heard about the return of this event. It’s a great news for Malaysian golf and all the local professionals. I have had a lot of good memories playing in the Malaysian Open, especially on this course.

We last played the Malaysian Open here in 2008 and I remembered I was tied for the lead after two rounds here. It’s nice to be back here. The course’s looking fantastic. It’s possibly one of the best around this area. The greens are fast. They did a really good job.

I hosted a junior event for the first-time last week. I had fun. It was a good experience. It was pretty stressful and I was very busy but it’s rewarding. It’s good to see so many people and companies coming out to support too. It’s important that we give back to the game.

I would like to see these juniors playing in more international events in the future. It will be a great experience for them to play against other top ranked players around the world and see where they stand. If you always play with the same people, it’s very hard to progress to the next level.

Ben Leong (MAS)

It’s great to have Bandar Malaysia coming on board to support the Malaysian Open and the development of golf in Malaysia. It’s great to see the Malaysian Open back after four years. It’s really motivating.

We played a small event here with the juniors last week. It was hosted by our countryman Danny Chia. We had good fun and I got a chance to see the course firsthand which helps. As usual, the course at Kota Permai is in great shape and the greens are running a little quick than usual. It will be interesting.

I’m going to treat this like any other event. Just normal, I know it’s easier said than done, but you know, that’s the mindset for this week. We have a good representation of Malaysian golfers this week with 47 of us in total. A big shout out to the Malaysia Golf Association for being so supportive.

Tee shots are important to set up birdie chances out there. It’s tough coming out from the rough and the fairways are not small and they are not big. They are just in between sizes so being on the short grass is definitely an added bonus.

I think my three-wood and five-wood need to perform well this week to have a chance. I had a tough year last year. I hope to do better this year and my aim for this season is to try and crack top-30 on the Order of Merit.

Nicholas Fung (MAS)

I have been playing well and hitting the ball good. I just think it’s not coming at the right time and that’s why results are not showing. I did some work with my coach Steven and did some club fitting as well. Checked with my team and it seems like all is good and we’re ready to go.

I’ve been missing the cut by a few shots. I think it’s my poor judgement with my second shots. Otherwise, all else feels good. We have a strong field this week but the local players have advantage because we get to practise here before the tournament week.

It was very nice of Kota Permai and I believe the local boys have all got good preparations done for this week. I won’t say it’s impossible for one of us to win the Malaysian Open for the first time this week.

I won’t put so much pressure on myself. I just want to go out there and have fun and enjoy myself out there. If you hit the ball well, the win will come. I had a tied-11^th place finish on this course before.

But the course is not playing the same now. The trees have grown taller. It’s not a long course and placements are key on this course. Not so much an advantage for the big hitters.

Rahil Gangjee (IND)

The course is looking good. I’m pleasantly surprised by the conditions because you know it’s very humid out there. Greens are firm and fast, which is great for me. I remember playing here many years ago and I remember Arjun (Atwal) won here.

The game’s feeling a little rusty but I hope to get back into it quick. I had like a one-month off and I went to Kenya for holiday. I had a great time there. Feeling refreshed and recharged for this week.

I’m just trying to keep my body in check. To keep it nimble, so that I wouldn’t have to face too many problems and my mind will be fresh and clear, which is very important for us.

I want to win again, that’s for sure. That’s a bigger goal for this year. I looked at my stats with my psychologist and we realised that I need to play better on my par-fours. I am playing my par-fives decent but I need to work on my par-fours and try not to lose too many shots there.

That is my short-term goal now. I’m hitting long lines into the greens and that’s probably why I am making moves and stuff so I got to have to figure out a way to be better.

Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe

Scott Vincent (ZIM)

This is probably one of the best courses I’ve played in Malaysia. It’s in great conditions. I am very excited. My game needs a bit of work at the moment but it’s good to be back out and playing again.

It was nice to see my good friend Benjamin Follett-Smith coming through the Qualifying School two weeks ago. We’ve been hoping that he’s going to play like that because he’s very talented and he has got a lot of potential.

I am very excited for him to be out here and hopefully we can work together and push each other on. I have been trying to recruit a few players and it has taken a while for someone to come over to Asia and give it a try. It’s nice to have some company with Benjamin securing his Tour card now.