Van Pelt raring to go

DEFENDING champion Bo van Pelt of the United States flew in after winning his first tournament of the year Down Under looking fresh to stamp his mark again in this weekend's CIMB Classic at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.
  The American claimed his third career win in the Perth International at Lake Karrinyup after an an all-American duel with Jason Dufner by two strokes in a tense final round to claim the event.
  "It is great to be back in Malaysia to defend my title as I have some great memories from last year. This is the first chance I have ever had to defend my title as I have only won three tournaments.
  "I never had the chance to defend the Nationwide and Milwaukee tournaments so it is really great that I finally get a chance at the CIMB Classic," said van Pelt.
  However, the World No 24 does not feel that acclimatisation in Perth would give him an advantage over the other USPGA Tour players who just arrived in Malaysia.
  "It was great in Perth but I arrived on the Tuesday, just like I did in Malaysia last year and went on to win both the titles.
  "I must arrive more often on the eve of a tournament as I seem to play better," quipped van Pelt.
  In Perth, he had rounds of 70-67-67-68 to finish 16-under 272 and pocket a cheque for US$333,330.
  On the pressure of being the champion, and having players like Tiger Woods on his back, van Pelt said he does not feel any different from the other tournaments.
  "I don't think so (there is pressure), as there are so many great players in every tournament we get to play nowadays, so to win, you simply have to play great.
  "Last year at the Mines does not count for anything as we will all start on par Thursday (tomorrow) morning and the golf course is not going to remember me as a champion.
  "I have great memories from last year and I'm looking forward to getting back out there and and playing again," said van Pelt.
  The American posted a stunning 23-under total in the CIMB Classic last year, while his nearest challenger Jeff Overton was a distant 17-under.
  "As for the winning score this year, I think since every year the field is getting better and better, and so it's going to push the guys to shoot much lower.
  "So I would definitely say, if the weather holds, you will be looking at something in the 20s to win at the Mines, for sure," said van Pelt.

Terengganu lift Razak Cup

TERENGGANU made history as they took home the Razak Cup title for the first time after defeating Pahang 3-0 in the Division One final yesterday.
  The final was dominated by the Saari brothers as Terengganu became the first east coast side to win the prestigious trophy.
  Terengganu got off to a flying start as they took the lead in the first minute through Muhammad Firhan Ashari.
  Firhan had a tap in which was gifted to him after some brilliant work from Faizal Saari, who beat two players before squaring the ball back to Firhan to score.
  Terengganu continued to press forward and in the 15th minute hitman Faizal  once again worked his way into the circle and unleashed a fierce shot which went inches wide.
  It was Pahang's wake-up call as five minutes later they earned their first short corner of the game but a brilliant save from Muhammad Hafizuddin kept Terengganu in the lead.
  In the 23rd minute Ismail Abu slotted the ball home off a penalty corner rebound for Pahang but his effort was   disallowed by the umpire.
   Terengganu came back from the break more confident and in the 41st minute the Saari brothers Fitri and Faizal combined to give the east coast team a comfortable lead.
  Fitri, who was pulling the strings in midfield, found his elder brother unmarked in the circle and Faizal beat Kahirul Nizam Ibrahim from a tight angle.
  Nine minutes later Terengganu made it 3-0 through Muhammad Shafiq Nordin.
   RESULTS -- Div 1 Final: Pahang 0 Terengganu 3; 3rd-4th: Kuala Lumpur 8 Negri Sembilan 4; 5th-6th: Perak 1 Johor 3; 7th-8th: Penang 4 Armed Forces 3.
  Div 2: Final: Selangor 4 Malacca 5.

Kuala Lumpur claim Razak Cup bronze...

RAZAK CUP: 

Division 1 playoff for third place -- Kuala Lumpur 8 Negri Sembilan 4

Kuala Lumpur 8 (Chua Boon Huat 3rd, 8th, 20th), Razie Rahim (34th, 40th, 44th, 56th), Shamim Yusoff (57th) .Negri Sembilan 4 (Dangerous Lee (35th, 49th, 52nd), Ikhwan Ishak 70th).

DIVISION TWO FINAL: 

Malacca 5 (Hafizuddin Desa 13th 43rd, Amirullah Zainol 22nd, 54th, 63rd)

Selangor 4 (Muhammad Noor Faeez Ibrahim 3rd, 60th, Amirrullah Aziz 11th, Redza Maadun 30th)

NOTE: Malacca in Division One next year.

Tiger hunt at the Mines this week...

FAST FACTS: Tiger Woods returns to Malaysia for the first time since winning the World Cup of Golf team and individual titles in 1999 at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.
   The first two champions of the CIMB Classic event are in the field, Bo Van Pelt and Ben Crane.
   Asian stars Thaworn Wiratchant and Gaganjeet Bhullar are the men in form - Thaworn has won two of his last seven tournaments and Bhullar has won two of his last six.
    Danny Chia and Shaaban Hussin are the Malaysian representatives.
  The CIMB Classic is the richest golf event in Malaysia.
    Noh Seung-yul, Kevin Na and Charlie Wi return to Malaysia where they have all won Asian Tour titles previously.

New champion for 50th Razak Cup..

 Pahang players celebrate after beating Negri in the semi-final.

Terengganu's Fitri Saari (right) celebrate the goal which took them to the final. His brother Faizal (middle) scored the other.

THERE will be a new Razak Cup Division One champion in the 50th Edition, after Pahang and Terengganu upset the form-book at the Kuantan Stadium yesterday.
   Both the finalists have never lifted the Razak Cup trophy before, and their encounter today is expected to be an explosive affair.
    Terengganu beat Kuala Lumpur 2-1, while Pahang beat Negri Sembilan 3-2 in the semi-finals yesterday.
   And Terengganu badly want to win the silverware, and make a point to state that not only soccer deserve the attention, and funding.
   “We are very excited to play for our first Razak Cup title, as the wait has been simply too long. My players are all eager to lay their hands on the silverware, as we want to prove to the state government that not only soccer deserves a huge funding and attention, but hockey needs it to produce more results in the future” said Terengganu coach Nik Rozemi Nik Mohamed.
    It was sweet revenge for Terengganu, as they lost to Kuala Lumpur 2-1 in the semi-finals last year.
    As for Pahang coach, Izwan Suhardi, he feels Terengganu hold the upper-hand as he has a long list of injured players.
   “My defender (Radzi Ismail) fractured his hand and is out of the final. Also, five other players are carrying one injury or another and it would be a difficult final for us,” said Izwan.
    Both finalists are from Group B, and Pahang won the tensed group encounter 5-3. The match was stopped for several minutes after Terengganu staged a walkout in protest of a decision by the umpire.
   Terengganu took the lead of the country’s top striker faizal Saari in the 30th minute off a a penalty corner attempt but KL equalised in the 50th minute off Mohamed Yazid.
    Then came the turn of Faizal younger brother Fitri to score in the 60th minute to shut the door on defending champions KL.
    As for Pahang, their goals came from hairul Nizam (25th, 65th) and Mohamed Sybrie (52nd). The Negri goals were scored by S. Kuhan in the 11th, and 70th minutes.
   RESULTS: Division One -- Semi-finals: Kuala Lumpur 1  Terengganu 2 (5pm), Pahang 3 Negri Sembilan 2 (5pm).
  TODAY: Division One Final: Pahang v Terengganu (8.30pm); Third-Fourth: Kuala Lumpur v Negri Sembilan (4pm).
   Division Two Final: Selangor v Malacca (6pm).