BY Fadhil Yunus

National golfer Awangku Muhd Syakir bin Pengiran Haji Alli won the International Amateur Open Golf Championship 2022 at the Pantai Mentiri Golf Club in Kampong Mentiri yesterday, which was held in conjunction with the 76th birthday celebration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Awangku Muhd Syakir posted a score of 70 to emerge overall gross champion to collect His Majesty’s Birthday Golf Tournament Men’s Overall Gross Challenge Trophy.

Seruji bin Haji Setia finished runners-up with 71 with Madan Kumar Gurung in third place.

Meanwhile, Almas Syadzwanie Kamis won the Ladies Overall Gross category.

Awangku Muhd Syakir has been arguably the most consistent player in the country after triumphing at the Pantai Mentiri Golf Club in three of his last four outings. He said he had started preparing for the tournament since the beginning of the year, adding that the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association helped getting them into more tournaments overseas.

“Today my expectation was to play my best,” said Awangku Muhd Syakir who won the tournament for a second time.

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions including the re-opening of borders and sports competitions being allowed, Awangku Muhd Syakir is able to resume his golfing career.

He said, “Competing outside the country helped me a lot especially the time when we played in Jakarta couple of weeks ago.

“It was a really good experience for me because I get to play against the best golfers.”

He said that the experience helped his mental approach towards the game and how to stay calm and composed under pressure.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad presented the prizes.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin