Melaka, Malaysia: Nur Durriyah Damian will once more take centre stage when the ninth edition of the Faldo Series Malaysia Championship tees-off tomorrow.
Overall winner in 2012 and Girls’ champion last year, Durriyah is expected to be to the fore at A’Famosa Golf Resort in the 54-hole World Amateur Golf Ranking event from September 18-20.
A stalwart of Malaysia’s national women’s team throughout this decade, the 19-year-old had the distinction of finishing tied for top spot in the Girls’ Under-21 category at the 2013-2014 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in Mission Hills China.
To give herself the opportunity of a fifth successive trip to the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at Mission Hills next March, Durriyah will need to be in top form at A’Famosa, named after the famous 16th century Portuguese fortifications of Melaka and a 90-minute drive from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Six-time Major championship winner Faldo, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “I’ve enjoyed watching Durriyah improve her game over the past four years at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final and it would be a noteworthy achievement if she’s able to qualify once more.”
Among those bidding to knock Durriyah from her perch will be her international team-mate Kelie Kan Kah Yan, who was triumphant in the Girls’ Under-16 section at the 2013 Faldo Series Malaysia Championship.
Despite the absence at A’Famosa of Muhd Afif Mohd Razif, Muhd Wafiyuddin Abdul Manaf, Chan Tuck Soon and Low Khai Jen, who will be flying the flag for Malaysia in the Incheon Asian Games, competition in the Boys’ categories will also be intense.
Like Durriyah and Kan, Kuhanesh Ganesan is bidding to qualify again for the Grand Final, having topped the standings in the Boys’ Under-21 segment last year.
Strong showings are also expected from Alvin Hiew, a 17-year-old two-handicapper, and Aaerishna Shahsthy, winner of the Faldo Series Brunei Championship last year.
Supported by The R&A, ISPS and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2014-15 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches over 11 months and is made up of a minimum of 20 championships.