Future golfing greats lit up The Els Club Desaru Coast last week as the Faldo Series Asia – Malaysia Championship 2024/2025 concluded with thrilling performances, breakout stars, and dreams set in motion.
Widely regarded as one of the region’s most prestigious junior golf tournaments, the event brought together 40 of the brightest young golf talents, competing fiercely over three days from 8th – 10th April 2025.
At stake were national pride, world amateur ranking points, and a coveted spot in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Laguna Lang Co, Vietnam.
The competition featured four divisions; Boys Under 21, Boys Under 16, Girls Under 21, and Girls Under 16, with each winner etching their name into Malaysia junior golf history.
Malaysia’s very own Aiden Kei Bin Ahmad Shaharuddin emerged victorious in the Boys Under 21 division, producing a remarkable final round of 65 to finish five-under-par (211). He edged out Singapore’s Keeshaun Tan (+2) and Malaysia’s Ammer Aiman Mohd Fauzi (+4) to secure the title.
In the Girls Under 21 category, Singapore’s Denise Ng delivered a consistent performance to win with a total score of 212 (-4), finishing ahead of Malaysia’s Nik Alicia Miriam Kamil and Singapore’s Ashlynn Choo.
The Boys Under 16 division saw South Korea’s Maru Choi claim the title with a total of 218 (+2), while Malaysia’s Aiden Tai John Roberts and Nathan Wong shared second place just two strokes behind.
One of the standout performances of the championship and tournament low scorer came from Malaysia’s Xin Yao Wang in the Girls Under 16 category. Wang impressed with rounds of 69, 67, and 66, finishing at an incredible 202 (-14) – the lowest score of the tournament across all divisions.
The championship once again highlighted The Els Club Desaru Coast’s growing reputation as a venue for world-class junior golf events.
Speaking on the success of the tournament, Harris Abdullah, General Manager of The Els Club Desaru Coast, said: “The Faldo Series represents everything that’s great about junior golf; passion, talent, and sportsmanship. It has been a pleasure to witness such inspiring performances from these young players, and we’re honoured to play a role in their journey towards becoming future champions.”
He also extended his heartfelt appreciation to all sponsors, partners, and supporters for their invaluable contributions, adding, “We are truly grateful for the unwavering support shown by our sponsors and partners. Their commitment not only enhances the tournament experience but also helps us create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of golfers to shine and grow.”
This year’s championship was made possible through the collaboration of several key partners, including Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA), whose continued support of sports tourism initiatives has been instrumental in positioning Johor as a growing golf destination.
Col Jamal Salleh, President of Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA), expressed his pride in collaborating with The Els Club Desaru Coast for the Faldo Series Asia – Malaysia Championship, marking a significant milestone for junior golf development in Johor.
“We are truly proud to be working alongside The Els Club Desaru Coast, a world-class venue, in what we believe is just the beginning of many more junior golf tournaments to come in Johor. This collaboration not only reinforces our commitment to nurturing sports tourism but also positions Johor as an emerging hub for junior golf in the region. Moving forward, JGTA is excited to explore opportunities to host more junior tournaments at other prestigious and championship golf courses across Johor, further enhancing the state’s reputation as a must-visit golf destination for both aspiring young players and golf enthusiasts,” said Col Jamal.
The event was sanctioned by the Malaysian Golf Association and supported by Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast as the official hotel partner. Other supporting partners included Sports Journey, Red Bull Malaysia, Desaru Coast, Tourism Johor, Club Car, and Jebsen & Jessen.
As the tournament concluded, it not only crowned new champions but also created lasting memories, highlighting the emerging talent of junior golfers.
More than just a competition, the event served as a valuable platform for young golfers to hone their skills and gain recognition.
With all tournaments being 54-hole World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) events, participants had the exceptional opportunity to position themselves among the elite in junior golf, showcasing the rising wave of talent in the golf scene.
Further amplifying the excitement, winners from each category have secured an exclusive invitation to compete in the highly anticipated Asia Grand Final at the prestigious Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam.
This incredible opportunity enables these young golfers to showcase their skills on an international stage, testing their abilities against some of the region’s top talents.
It also serves as a testament to the bright future of golf in both Malaysia and the broader Asian region.
For more information about the upcoming tournament or latest updates, visit https://www.elsclubmalaysia.com/
