“It was tough but at the same time, I like it when it’s tough. I didn’t putt very good obviously, my short game has been awful this week.”
“A couple of tee shots cost me but it’s part of learning I guess. I’m going to handle it and you’ve got to accept it.”
The 2017 Taiwan Masters champion finished his campaign with a total of eight double bogeys, 12 bogeys, 12 birdies and an eagle for rounds of 66-82-79-75 to close at 14-over-par 302, sharing the spot with South Korean KJ Choi, America’s JB Holmes and Ryan Ruffels of Australia.
The 23-year-old’s short game had not been cooperating since two-weeks back that saw Gavin end in joint 61st at CIMB Classic, but, he will take it with a pinch of salt to remain optimistic.
“It’s frustrating but on the bright side, it’s just going to add to my experience and I’m only going to learn from it.”
“It’s going to just help me, which is fine. A part of me knows that I can actually compete. You’ve got to believe so also a part of me knows that there’s something to work on. It’s bit of pros and cons.”
Next, Gavin will travel to China for the World Golf Championships (WGC)-HSBC Champions on October 26-29 and has taken it upon himself to just take a relax approach to his game.
“I don’t want to push it, I’ve been trying to push a lot. Especially this is a good week, I don’t think you have to especially on weeks like this.”
“I think it’s more like I’ve got to learn to enjoy it more than anything else. I’m really hard on myself, I’m frustrated because I don’t get what I want. You just got to learn from it.”
On a positive note, Gavin is still leading the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit after the Macau Open and is on path to becoming the first Malaysian to win the money list.
Meanwhile, reigning FedExCup champion Justin Thomas moves to number three on the Official World Golf Ranking following his win at the inaugurual edition of the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges at nine-under-par 279.
Thomas, 24, defeated Australian Marc Leishman on the second extra hole with a birdie at the par five 18th to claim his first season win.