KUALA LUMPUR: Galven Green shrugged off a disastrous start to emerge champion of the Toyota Tour's season-opening RM210,000 Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy at the Saujana Golf and Country Club today.
Despite bogeying twice in his first five holes, the 25-year-old bounced back superbly with seven birdies to post a four-under 68 and clinch an emphatic seven-shot victory over second-placed Syahiran Syakir.
The feat saw Galven emulate the footsteps of his national No. 1 elder brother, Gavin, who triumphed in the 2022 edition.
"A little nervous at the start, but after the fifth hole I managed to find my way through," said Galven, after pocketing a RM31,500 winner's cheque.
"I hit a good shot on six and then I started to have good momentum going in from there onwards.
"The start was quite tough, but I had to be calm and with 14 more holes remaining, there's still a lot of golf to play and I just kept myself calm and went through the process."
If anything, Galven is surely making winning titles a habit now after claiming his second title in just three starts.
It was just in November last year that he secured his maiden professional career breakthrough by winning the Alphard Cup.
"It's good to keep playing decently and I think having the first win really boosted me up because it's always hard to get that first one," said Galven.
"I'm fortunate enough to land second one now in this very first tournament of the Toyota Tour season."
The victory was a much-needed lift for Galven after struggling to impress in the first two Asian Tour starts he managed to gain entry into.
He missed the cut at both the Malaysia Open and International Series Oman.
"Apart from the Toyota Tour, I intend to play regularly on the Asian Development Tour as I'm trying to gain my promotion to the Asian Tour through the circuit. Doing well domestically definitely help to boost my confidence," he said.
Meanwhile, the women's honour went to Geraldine Wong after she shot an even-par 72 to win by three shots from Jocelyn Chee.
Like Galven, Geraldine also celebrated her second win following her earlier success at the Corolla Cross Cup in October last year.
"Today was really good. I think I performed really well under pressure, I made a lot of putts that really mattered," said Geraldine, who turned professional last year.
"It's a tough competition. Players like Aretha (Pan) and Ainil (Johani Bakar), they are seasoned players. I'm very happy to get off to a good start in the early season."
The Toyota Tour will resume with its second leg — the Corolla Cross Cup — at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Shah Alam from April 23-25.
Leading final round scores
Men (top 10)
205: Galven Green 69-68-68;
212: Syahiran Syakir 68-70-74;
213: Amir Nazrin Jailani 72-74-67, Danny Chia 67-72-74;
214: Kim Leun Kwang 74-71-69;
216: Daeng Rahman 73-76-67;
217: Shaifubri Muda 73-74-70, Hafiy Suhaili 72-72-73;
218: V. Khavish 74-72-72;
219: Danial Faidz 72-76-71, Ervin Chang 73-73-73.
Women (top five)
221: Geraldine Wong 71-78-72;
224: Jocelyn Chee 74-78-72;
225: Aretha Pan 74-75-76;
229: Ainil Johani Bakar 72-78-79;
230: H.Y. Bang 74-77-79.