Back to #1

What a season it's been so far for Justin Thomas. 3rd win of the season, his second WGC title and a triumphant return to the world number 1 spot. 

 Photo from Golf Monthly UK

JT's built up quite a resume ever since he earned his PGA Tour Card for the 2015 season (multiple wins, a major win, Fed Ex cup win, world no.1) and he's only 27 years young!

I was a volunteer during the CIMB Classic in 2015 and I have to admit, I didn't know much about JT prior. He quickly became the topic of the week though, after carding a sublime course record 61 in the second round. This young man was talented but it wasn't until the final round that the golfing world would witness his grit and maturity after disaster struck on the 14th hole. 

That Sunday, I was in charge of holes 2 and 13. The 14th tee is a couple of steps away from the 2nd tee, so I was able to watch some of the action when JT's group arrived. Measuring 358 yards, the 14th is a shortish par-4 (even drive-able when the officials push up the tee box). 

View from the 14th green

Unfortunately JT found the water with his second shot. A double bogey and he was suddenly 2 shots behind the lead. Adam Scott was playing so well in the group ahead and it was looking like a lost cause. 

I didn't get to watch the final stretch, but what happened next was nothing short of incredible and nail biting. 2 behind, JT fired back with 3 consecutive birdies to take back the lead and would par the 18th to win by 1 stroke for his first PGA tour victory. Re-live the action here. 

 

Caught up with JT after his victory. Been a fan ever since. 

JT would successfully defend in 2016, sparking off a remarkable season. How's this? that season, JT won 5 times. 4 PGA titles (carding a 59 at the Sony Open), the PGA Championship and became the Fed-Ex cup champion. How's that for super impressive. 

Apart from his prodigious talent on the course, I appreciate the way he carries himself. He's great with the fans (always obliged my requests for an autograph and photo over the years) and his regular interactions with his younger audience and charity works are certainly praise worthy. 

JT smashing down a drive in 2017

Would catch JT in action again in the next two editions of the CIMB Classic but sadly, the curtain came down in 2018 and the tournament was replaced with the ZOZO Championship in Japan. I am not privy to the organizing of the tournament, but it's a shame Malaysia isn't hosting a full fledged PGA tour event anymore. But that's a topic for another day. 

It's great seeing JT back at the number 1 spot and he's a firm favorite this week at the PGA Championship. Let's go JT!! 

 

A year older a year wiser?

It's not everyday you get to ride in a personalized pimped up golf buggy. 

The fine work of my mates (bless them) and they even surprised me with a cake. 

The golf wasn't too bad either, so it was a really good day. The older I get, the fact that happiness comes from a simple life becomes more apparent. Good health, loving family, great friends and some time to chase a little white ball into a hole. Can't ask for more really. (Well, maybe find more fairways and greens in regulations perhaps)

In other news, it looks like golfers can now twin-share buggies, albeit with a facemask during play. I have been wearing a facemask each time I tee it up but notice that several don't. Have you been wearing a facemask to play? 

Back at it!

Finally returned to the course after 86 days. To be honest, I didn't feel an extreme urge to tee it up during the MCO / CMCO. But gosh, did it feel good to be golfing again. 

Couldn't have asked for better weather and the course was in good shape. Glad my first tee shot found the fairway but it was such a comedic / appalling round. Clearly the rust had set it and I did my part, contributing 8 balls to the course. 

Getting used to the new SOP but still, it was great fun. Looking forward to the weekend!   

The new normal

The last few months have been anything but normal.

When the Control Movement Order was announced on 16th March 2020, Malaysians in every part of the country were left rather somewhat clueless. The Covid-19 Pandemic was spreading at a dangerous rate and we were headed into unprecedented and unknown times.  

It's been an odd time to say the least but fast forward two months later and we now find ourselves adapting and adjusting to the new normal. Wearing a face mask before going out is now automatic and washing your hands (or sanitizing) has become routine.

On the golf front, golfers too have started returning to the course (from 12th May 2020) albeit with new conditions and regulations. That said, I have self imposed a break from golf until the condition movement control order expires on 9th June (or longer if it is extended). 

I envy my mates who have started teeing it up but I tell myself "there's plenty of time in the future for golf". Perhaps I am in denial, but I guess there's no harm in playing it safe for now. 

In other news, the PGA restarts the season in a few weeks at the Charles Schwab Challenge. All top 5 players in the OGWR (Rory, Jon Rahm, BK, JT and DJ) have committed to play so it promises to be a deep field. Haven't read about fan policy but it's definitely something new. I guess if I am not playing, it will be nice to watch some golf on the telly. 

Stay safe everyone. 

World Handicap System

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/what-you-need-know-about-new-world-handicap-system

Am I the only one confused about this new world handicap system...?

Matchplay time

It's Matchplay Time!

The KGS-Obyu inter - team matchplay tournament started two weeks ago and Team TOC (Tee Off Club) were in the fray. Yours truly made the line up during our first scheduled match up against the formidable team HKH (due to a scheduling conflict, a few of our first team players were unavailable) and I was raring to go.  

Took the field in the final four ball grouping and sad to say we were beaten rather comprehensively (5 up I think it was). 

There were a couple of missed opportunities for us. As a pair, our putting just wasn't as sharp that morning (I missed a 3 foot birdie putt to win the hole .. gah) but our opponents were the better team on the day, so kudos to team HKH. 

Plenty of golf left to be played, so it's time to regroup and come back stronger this weekend. 

Happy New Year!

Fore! 

And just like that, we said farewell to 2019 and welcomed 2020. 

It's been raining cats and dogs since Christmas, so the golf courses here have been inundated with water. Last Saturday, the course at Samarahan (though playable) was wet and soggy in several parts. The weather forecast looks bleak tomorrow, but hopefully we will get some good weather to kick off the 2020 golf calendar. 

But it's not all bad news. Titleist ran a sweepstakes on Instagram in December, offering a Team Titleist Cap and a choice of a dozen Pro V1/V1x balls to two lucky winners.

 

All you had to do was tag a friend and post your choice of balls and guess what? I was one of the lucky two! Yeahhoooo! 

Thank you Titleist! Good start to 2020 I have to say.