MELAKA: The curtain raiser of the Toyota Tour 2024 witnessed 13 amateur golfers successfully obtaining the Persatuan Profesional Golf Malaysia (PGM) Tour Card.
Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) general manager, Nik Mustapha Nik Mohamed said this reflects the positive trend of increasing skills among amateur players in the country.
“The participants’ performance in the first round here in Melaka was very commendable with 64 players, who had to compete for three days with their total strokes not exceeding 15 over par,” he told Bernama at the Toyota Tour 2024 at the Tiara Melaka Golf and Country Club here today.
In the round, among the players who successfully obtained the card are Malcom Ting, Mohd Hafiy Suhaili, and Hariz Hezri.
Nik Mustapha added that this card would enable the players to participate in Toyota Tour tournaments throughout the year.
“Most of those participating in this tournament are amateur players who want to test their abilities as professionals.
“However, after obtaining this card, it is up to them whether they will continue as professional players because at that level (professional), the challenges are greater,” he said.
Aiming for more amateur players to obtain the card throughout this season, which will consist of 10 rounds at various new course locations, Nik Mustapha is positive that the Toyota Tour will serve as a platform for young players to make a name for themselves internationally.
He stated that PGM Malaysia aims for at least 20 percent of the total players participating in each round of the Toyota Tour this season to qualify for the card.
“I believe these young and skilled individuals have the opportunity to obtain the card and play at a higher level, but the question is whether they can face the challenges at the professional level.
“This is because at this level, you play to get the card but in other tournaments, you will be playing against much more experienced individuals. So, the pressure to score well is certainly higher,” he said.
Therefore, he said amateur players need to continue playing in various levels of tournaments, against different players, and on various golf courses to sharpen their playing skills.
The Toyota Tour 2024 will witness 10 rounds involving new courses such as Penang Golf Resort, Royal Pahang Golf Club, Sibu Golf Club, Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club, and Kota Permai Golf & Country Club. – BERNAMA
