KUALA LUMPUR: Rookie Ervin Chang came agonisingly close to a maiden victory when he finished runner-up at the Asian Development Tour's (ADT) OB Invitational in West Java, Indonesia on Friday.
Ervin, 23, who turned professional four months ago, closed with a solid 66 for 18-under 262 at the par-70 Jababeka Golf and Country Club, losing by just one shot to Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand, who also shot a 66.
It was, nonetheless, still Ervin's best finish to date after seven starts as a professional.
On the back of two top-15 results on ADT, Ervin began the week with all guns blazing when he fired a 62 to set the opening round pace.
He clung to the top-three standings in the next two days with a pair of 69 and 65 to set a thrilling finale in which Suteepat had the last laugh.
"Overall, I felt really good about my game this week. I started the week with an eight-under, and from there, I was just trying to build up the momentum for the rest of the week. I swung and putted really, really well," said Ervin, who earned US$8,050 (RM36,500) for his effort.
"I must say it was a challenging week, but I love a good challenge and competing with good players.
Ervin, who created history by becoming the first Malaysian to win two gold at Vietnam Sea Games, will now focus on next week's Combiphar Players' Championship, also in Indonesia.
"I am optimistic of carrying this good form to the following week's event in Bandung," said Ervin.
"As they say, 'Rome was not built in a day.' On that note, with fortitude and patience, I know I will get my win soon."
The runner-up lifted Ervin significantly from 52nd to 17th on the ADT Order of Merit, which will prove crucial for his ambition to play on the Asian Tour next season.
Leading final round scores
261: Suteepat Prateeptienchai (Tha) 64-64-67-66;
262: Ervin Chang (Mas) 62-69-65-66;
268: Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (Tha) 65-70-65-68;
269: Jonathan Wijono (Ina) 68-68-67-66;
270: Jeremy Wendelken (US) 67-68-66-69.
Selected Malaysians
277: Amir Nazrin Jailani 71-68-69-69, Paul San 72-69-65-71;
278: Danial Faidz 67-71-71-68;
281: Khor Kheng Hwai 73-69-70-69, Galven Green 70-74-68-69.