Singapore: Choo Tze Huang marked a new era for professional golf in Singapore with a morale-boosting victory at Sentosa Golf Club.

With a two-round total of one-under-par 141, Choo was crowned winner of inaugural leg of the Singapore Pro Series Invitational presented by FTAG.

“I put in two very solid rounds and am pleased that my fitness regime and practice over the last few months have come to fruition,” said Choo.

“There were nerves because I want to do well, but it’s nice to be competing again. We can play practice rounds, but the intensity is just different, and I felt more focused and more precise with my targets.

“I’m thankful for everyone who has helped make this event happen to help us get back to competitive mode and be ready when more events, hopefully including the Singapore Open, return.”

Just seven strokes separated the top-10 finishers in the 16-player field over the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

One shot shy of Choo was Jesse Yap with Koh Dengshan and Abdul Hadi a further stroke behind in joint third.

Veteran Mardan Mamat, the only Singaporean to win a European Tour event, tied for fifth with Gregory Foo, while Daryl Low was the leading amateur in sole seventh place on 146.

Global sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE, a Full Business Member of the AGIF, is event manager for the series.

Jerome Ng, General Manager of the Singapore Golf Association, said: “We are pleased to kick-start the first leg of the Singapore Pro Series Invitational. It is great to see the amateur and professional golfers test their nerves to compete for the winning prize.

“These events will prepare them for their Tour events and major games to come. Congratulations to Choo and we look forward to the many legs to come.”

The series is providing 18 Singapore top professionals and six local national amateurs who are aspiring to be Tour professionals, the chance to play and compete during the on-going global pandemic.

Ng added: “As the governing body of golf in Singapore, we are thrilled to spearhead this series of golf events as a milestone for the sport in the country.

“With the current drought in tournament golf across the region due to the pandemic, we are happy to be able to help create a sustainable flow of local golf tournaments for the future.”

The second leg of the series is scheduled to take place at Tanah Merah Country Club on May 3-4.

In total, 16 tournament days, or eight legs, have been scheduled for the inaugural season – where touring professionals, both male and female, and leading national amateurs compete over two days for a S$10,600 prize fund.

Each leg counts towards the ‘Race to FTAG Cup’. The winner of the Order of Merit will receive a bonus of S$10,000.