Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Ben Leong has earned a coveted – and lucrative – starting spot in October’s US$7 million CIMB Classic.
“It’s like a dream come true,” said the 29-year-old after topping the leaderboard in the SapuraKencana National Qualifier at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club [KLGCC], a Golf Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
“I’ve been unlucky the last couple of weeks (finishing second twice on the local circuit) and I’m glad I crossed the line this time. It’s a great win and I’m looking forward to playing in the CIMB Classic,” said Leong.
Five strokes clear of the field heading into the final round, Leong closed with a two-over 74. That gave him a three-day total of three-under 213 and a two-stroke winning margin from Kenneth De Silva. Nicholas Fung finished third, a further stroke back, while last year’s champion Danny Chia settled for fourth place.
Sabahan Leong said his hands shook with nerves on the home stretch. “There were some nerves. My hands were shaking and my playing partners were actually laughing at me coming down the stretch! The CIMB Classic will be a new experience for me. It’s great to have made it into the event,” he added.
Leong’s victory, which earned him RM22,000, was a timely boost after a torrid last few years following a back injury which laid him low. He sprang to prominence by winning the 2008 Selangor Masters, beating Thai Thongchai Jaidee in a head-to-head duel.
“I had doubts for sure,” said Leong when asked if he thought his career was over in 2012 due to a disc prolapse. “I would go to bed wishing that when I woke up the next morning, the pain would be gone. It was frustrating and it tested me to my limit. I stayed determined, stayed to my workout regime and stayed patient which was probably the secret. It worked out alright.
“For the past few years now, I will spend four hours on the golf course and one hour off it to work on my physical aspect. Before that, it was seven or eight hours which was stressing my body and mind out. Ever since I’ve come back from my injury, I’ve told myself to stay disciplined and stay with my five-hour plan,” he said.
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Shahril Shamsuddin, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad, said: “We congratulate Ben Leong and wish him all the best at the CIMB Classic 2015.
“We hope our local fans were enthralled by the fierce competition amongst Malaysia’s top golfers. Having established itself as a key national tournament, we are pleased to record an increase of player participation which is testament to the credibility of the qualifier. We remain committed to driving the development of golf as a sport in Malaysia and hope to spur more home-grown talents.”
The CIMB Classic, to be held from October 29-November 1, will be the third event of the 2015-2016 FedEx Cup season on the PGA Tour. Offering full FedEx Cup points, the CIMB Classic will feature 78 players – 60 from the PGA Tour, 10 from the Asian Tour and eight sponsor exemptions.
Of the sponsor exemptions, the CIMB Classic accords two spots for Malaysians. The second spot will be given to the highest ranked Malaysian on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as at September 30. If the winner of the SapuraKencana National Qualifier is also the leading Malaysian in the OWGR, the second spot will automatically go to the next best-ranked Malaysian on the OWGR.