KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have struck while the iron was still hot as their decision to turn professional four months ago has been spot on.
Failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics had prompted Sze Fei-Izzuddin to leave the BA of Malaysia and they have not looked back ever since.
They won the Japan Open, China Open and Arctic Open during the four-month surge and also became Malaysia's top earners.
Prize money is important for independent shuttlers and Sze Fei-Izzuddin were on a roll, raking in a total of US$353,587 (RM1.57 million).
This includes the US$100,000 they earned for finishing runners-up at the World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou on Sunday.
If Sze Fei-Izzuddin had won the WTF, they would have surpassed the RM2 million mark in prize money.
This is because the winners will earn US$210,000 which went to world No. 3 Kim Astrup-Anders Spaarup Rasmussen of Denmark.
Their total earnings from 12 tournaments before the Paris Olympics was only US$45,233.
The Malaysians battled hard against Astrup-Rasmussen before losing 21-17, 17-21, 21-11.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin's progress in the tournament was in doubt after the former suffered severe camps against the Danes in the group stage.
However, Sze Fei recovered to continue their quest and the duo saved six match points in the semi-finals against world No. 4 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto of Indonesia.
Izzuddin still savoured the second-place finish as they have exceeded their own expectations in Hangzhou.
"Standing at the podium was sweet in a different way," posted Izzuddin in his Instagram account, indicating the physical struggle they were through at the WTF.
"We appreciate the blessing of God in every success and challenges that come our way."
Former men's doubles World No. 1 Chan Chong Ming said that Sze Fei-Izzuddin have been showing great maturity since turning professional.
"Sze Fei-Izzuddin are very mature and handle their careers with responsibility. This is important as a professional pair," said Chong Ming.
They will also overtake Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik as the national No. 1 by improving their current ranking to world No. 3 in the latest list this week. Aaron-Wooi Yik, who bowed out in the WTF group stage, will drop from No. 5 to No. 6.