Published July 17, 2008 on April 30, 2018

In-form Kokocinski Eyes Breakthrough at the PGM Penang Championship

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Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski will be eyeing for a winning breakthrough on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) when he tees up for another shot at glory at the PGM Penang Championship, which starts on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Kokocinski, who has enjoyed an emphatic start to the season with four top-10 finishes in five starts, hopes to ride on his fine form as he chases for a maiden win on the region’s secondary circuit at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort in Penang.

Placed second on the ADT Order of Merit, Kokocinski will have a good chance to take over the lead from American John Catlin at the end of the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) event. He currently trails Catlin by US$569.

“I have been playing well this season on the ADT, as I am 50-under-par after five events. But, I’m still waiting for my first win of the season. I am happy with the way I have been playing recently and I am confident that a victory is around the corner,” said Kokocinski.

“I’m going to enjoy the week in Penang and hopefully, after four days, I will be the champion,” he added.

Singapore’s Johnson Poh, who won his maiden ADT title about a month ago in Johor, will be another top contender at the PGM Penang Championship. His familiarity with the course will give him an advantage over his competitors.

“I had competed on Bukit Jawi Resort a few times before during my amateur days and on the ADT two years ago. My girlfriend is from Penang, and I often accompany her whenever she goes back to her hometown. I will always take the opportunity to play at Bukit Jawi. I like the course layout and it suits my game,” said Poh.

The 144-man field at the PGM Penang Championship will be made up of 68 professionals from the ADT, 68 professionals from the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) and eight invites.

Notable players in the field include Japanese Shohei Hasegawa, Australian Martin Dive, and South African Mathiam Keyser, who are all winners on the ADT.

The PGM Penang Championship is the seventh leg of the 2018 ADT schedule this year. It is also the ADT’s third stop in Malaysia. Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered on all ADT events with the winner earning a total of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.