KUALA LUMPUR: Danny Chia, at 51, reinforced his status as one of Malaysia's best professional golfers by clinching the rain-affected Yaris Cup for a record-equalling third title on the Toyota Tour.
At the Mines Resort Country Club on Thursday, Danny mounted a spectacular comeback, firing a four-under 67 to complete the 54-hole tournament at seven-under 206, two strokes clear of runner-up Afif Fathi.
Starting the final round three shots behind joint 36-hole leaders Ben Leong and Afif, Danny's title prospects seemed dim after a double bogey on the opening hole.
However, he rebounded impressively, recording six birdies against a single bogey over the next eight holes to claim the lead, capitalising on the struggles of Ben and Afif on the front nine.
Danny extended his advantage with a birdie on the 12th to reach seven-under for the day before being joined atop the leaderboard by Afif, who birdied holes 10 and 12.
The pair remained deadlocked until play was suspended on the 15th hole due to inclement weather, resulting in a nearly two-hour delay.
Upon resumption, Danny emerged victorious, securing the win with a birdie-bogey finish on 17 and 18, while Afif faltered with consecutive bogeys.
"This was almost the same start I had at Royal Perak (Golf Club) last year when I tripled bogeyed the first hole but went on to win the Corolla Cup," said Danny, who earned RM31,500.
"After the double bogey, I wondered to myself if this could be another special day for me.
"I've been struggling ball-striking since my last event in Japan (senior tour), so I didn't have much expectation. I thought I just tried to work on my swing a little bit this week, but somehow, I pulled off this win, and I've very happy with that."
The victory puts Danny alongside Galven Green as three-time winners on the Toyota Tour, now in its second season.
Danny's previous victory came at the Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy in January last year.
In the ladies' championship, amateur Ng Jing Xuen secured her second victory, following her Vios Cup triumph in May.
The 16-year-old posted a final-round 71 for a three-day total of 206, finishing four shots ahead of Winnie Ng.
"I'm pleased with my game overall, especially since this is my second Toyota Tour win. Looks like
I'm trending in the right direction," said the reigning Sea Games gold medalist.
"My goal next is to compete in the China LPGA Tour qualifying school at the end of the year and hopefully turn professional after that," said the 16-year-old, who had her mother Yew Chee Yee serving as caddie.
Leading final round scores:
Men's event
206 - Danny Chia 69-70-67;
208 - Afif Fathi 66-70-72;
209 - Syahiran Syakir 69-73-67, Shahriffuddin Ariffin 70-70-69;
210 - Edven Ying 73-73-64, Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz 67-73-70, Ben Leong 69-67-74;
211 - Daniel Faidz 70-71-70, Tan Yih Heng 68-71-72;
212 - Anson Yeo (am) 69-72-71, Nor Heikal Hadi 69-71-72.
Women's event
206 - Ng Jing Xuen (am) 66-69-71;
210 - Winnie Ng 68-72-70;
214 - Wang Xin Yao (am) 73-73-68;
216 - Zulaikah Nasser 72-72-72;
218 - Geraldine Wong 71-77-70.