Martirez bags Kids World Malaysia crown

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Martirez survived a horrendous birdie-less round but came through with clutch pars to nip The Country Club teammate Sofia Chabon by one and snare the Kids Golf World Championship Malaysia crown at the Palm Resort Melati Course in Johor Bahru late Friday.

Martirez lost a one-shot lead as she lost her touch off the tee and struggled with her iron game on the long par-72 layout but banked on her steady putting to fight back from one-shot down with pars in the last four holes and repulse Chabon despite a 77.

The 17-year-old student at The Masters Academy Homeschool wound up with a 225 and nailed her first big win in a young career.

Chabon also hobbled with a closing five-over card and finished with a 226 to complete a 1-2 finish by the TCC bets as erstwhile second running Geraldine Wong Xuan of Malaysia bombed out with a second 80 and slid to third at 238.

South Korean Kim Joo Yeon also made an 80 for a 242 while Thai Suthasinee Sridet ended up with a 250 after an 83.

“Sam struggled from the start with errant drives and poor approach shots. But she showed some character in the closing holes and pulled through with gutsy pars,” said TCC coach Nestor Mendoza of Martirez, who strung up 75 and 73 to lead Chabon by one.

Chabon, who bounced back with a solid 69 from an opening 80, grabbed the lead at the turn but fumbled with bogeys in two of the last six holes, enabling Martirez, who placed here in the 2013 edition ruled by teammate Pauline del Rosario, to snatch the crown on her third try. 

Martirez bags Kids World Malaysia crown

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Martirez survived a horrendous birdie-less round but came through with clutch pars to nip The Country Club teammate Sofia Chabon by one and snare the Kids Golf World Championship Malaysia crown at the Palm Resort Melati Course in Johor Bahru late Friday.

Martirez lost a one-shot lead as she lost her touch off the tee and struggled with her iron game on the long par-72 layout but banked on her steady putting to fight back from one-shot down with pars in the last four holes and repulse Chabon despite a 77.

The 17-year-old student at The Masters Academy Homeschool wound up with a 225 and nailed her first big win in a young career.

Chabon also hobbled with a closing five-over card and finished with a 226 to complete a 1-2 finish by the TCC bets as erstwhile second running Geraldine Wong Xuan of Malaysia bombed out with a second 80 and slid to third at 238.

South Korean Kim Joo Yeon also made an 80 for a 242 while Thai Suthasinee Sridet ended up with a 250 after an 83.

“Sam struggled from the start with errant drives and poor approach shots. But she showed some character in the closing holes and pulled through with gutsy pars,” said TCC coach Nestor Mendoza of Martirez, who strung up 75 and 73 to lead Chabon by one.

Chabon, who bounced back with a solid 69 from an opening 80, grabbed the lead at the turn but fumbled with bogeys in two of the last six holes, enabling Martirez, who placed here in the 2013 edition ruled by teammate Pauline del Rosario, to snatch the crown on her third try.