KUALA LUMPUR: After eight years of perseverance, Fakhrul Akmal finally tasted his maiden success as a professional golfer, capturing the Toyota Tour's Harrier Cup at Kelab Golf Diraja Pahang in Kuantan on Thursday.
The unheralded 28-year-old completed a stylish wire-to-wire victory, firing a closing four-under 68 to finish with a three-day total of 16-under 200.
Fakhrul won by nine strokes over second-placed Lee Chong Li, who also carded a 68. Former Asian Tour winner Ben Leong (72) was one of four players who finished in joint third at 210.
After impressing with a pair of 66s in the first two days to establish a three-shot cushion, Fakhrul's pole position was never in doubt.
His confidence was evident when, after dropping a bogey on the opening hole, he bounced back immediately with back-to-back birdies over the next two.
He then picked up further shots on holes six, seven, and ten to put the result beyond doubt.
"I'm quite speechless," said Fakhrul after cashing in his career-biggest paycheck of RM31,500.
"I've come so close on many occasions, and I kept wondering if I would ever win as a professional. Achieving it here is priceless, this being my first time playing at KGDP. The crowd support has been fantastic; they made me feel at home."
"Even though I started with a three-shot lead, I didn't think of margins during my round. I was just targeting to go to 20-under and thought that score might be enough to win."
In the women's category, Zulaikah Nasser made her presence felt just one month after turning professional.
The 22-year-old, who recently graduated with a master's degree in mass communication from the United States, posted a final-round 71 for a total of 213.
She secured her a six-stroke victory over Geraldine Wong (73).
Michelle Koh finished third with a 74 and a total score of 222.
Reflecting on her win, Zulaikah said, "It's surreal, it hasn't sunk in yet. I've proven to myself that I belong on tour and that becoming a professional golfer was the right choice for my career.