James Leow played scintillating golf to snatch a come-from-behind victory in the Singapore Professional Golfers’ Association’s September Golf Challenge at Orchid Country Club a fortnight ago.
Trailing Choo Tze Huang and Zaw Moe by three shots, the Tanah Merah Country Club-adopted Leow fired an eight-under 62 to clinch a dramatic victory at Orchid’s Aranda/Vanda courses.
Playing in the penultimate flight in the two-day, three-round competition Leow bagged nine birdies and rued one bogey to play a hero’s role in the event.
Quite settled for second place when leader Choo found the green on his third shot on the par-five Vanda course in the final flight, Leow was himself surprised by the victory.
For Choo four-putted from 15 feet and gave away the title to Leow, who bagged S$2,500.
It was a back-to-back victory for Leow in the SPGA calendar and he leaves next week for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Said Leow: who shot 66, 69 and 62 for 13-under 197 total: “It’s a good present for me just before I leave for the Asian Games. I love the course, and I had played on it, although not in the current set-up, as a junior.”
Choo, who shot 65, 67 and 66, said: “It’s a frustrating way to finish second. I froze, and my third putt on the 18th just lipped out. But Leow is a formidable opponent. I congratulate him.”