New champions crowned, records broken, and rising talents set their sights on Asia Grand Final
Desaru Coast, Johor, Malaysia – Future golf greats lit up The Els Club Desaru Coast recently 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 was 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/
Photo – From left to right:
- Aiden Kei Bin Ahmad Shaharuddin (Malaysia)
- Maru Choi (Korea)
- Harris Abdullah – General Manager, The Els Club Desaru Coast
- Denise Ng (Singapore)
- Xin Yao Wang (Malaysia)
- Catherine Yong – Referee, Malaysian Golf Association
ABOUT THE ELS CLUB DESARU COAST
The Els Club Desaru Coast is home to 45-hole of world-class golf, featuring the Ernie Els and Vijay Singh Signature Design Courses. Situated along the stunning coastline of Desaru Coast, Johor, Malaysia, the club offers two distinctive championship golf experiences crafted by two of golf’s most iconic legends. The Ernie Els Signature Design Ocean Course offers 27-hole set against breathtaking views of the South China Sea. Inspired by classic links-style golf, each of its three 9-hole loops delivers a unique challenge with wide rolling fairways, expansive greens, and strategic run-off areas that test a golfer’s precision and creativity. Nestled amidst dramatic valleys and natural streams, the Vijay Singh Signature Design Valley Course is an 18-hole masterpiece co-developed with Ernie Els Design team. The layout features significant elevation changes, over 170 strategic bunkers, and panoramic vistas, creating a dynamic and memorable golf experience. Complementing these remarkable courses are state-of-the-art practice facilities, including The Els Performance Academy, comprehensive short game areas, and premier clubhouse amenities. Guests can also enjoy dining at the Ocean Course’s signature Big Easy Bar & Grill or 261 Bar & Restaurant or the Valley Course’s Lembah Restaurant, rounding off an unforgettable golf journey at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
ABOUT DESARU COAST
Desaru Coast is a premium, integrated destination resort in Malaysia with a portfolio of globally renowned hotels and resorts, namely Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and One & Only Desaru Coast. The destination is also home to Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast – one of the world’s biggest waterparks; Desaru Coast Conference Centre – a fully equipped conference facility; the Els Club Desaru Coast – 45 holes of golf in total with two distinct clubs, Ocean Course and Valley Course, and Desaru Coast Riverside – a 23-acre water-front landscaped retail and lifestyle village. The recently completed Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal will provide direct access from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to the destination in just 90 minutes. Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn.Bhd. (“DH1”) is the master developer of Desaru Coast and is a subsidiary of Desaru Development Corporation Sdn.Bhd. (“DDC”) within the Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn. Bhd. Group of companies
ABOUT ERNIE ELS DESIGN
Ernie Els Design is a full-service golf course design company wholly owned by its principal, four-time major champion, and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els. The international scope of Ernie’s 70 professional career victories is mirrored in the increasingly global reach of his designs, with signature courses and renovations impacting emerging and established golf markets. Ernie Els Design enjoys unique relationships with the world’s finest developers who share the company’s ambitions, creating attractive destinations that adhere to the principles of sustainable development and sound environmental practices. Since its formation in 2000, the company has received global recognition with a string of prestigious accolades. Notably, in 2015 Ernie was voted “Designer of the Year” at the World Golf Awards. In addition, many of Ernie’s signature courses have won prestigious industry awards, including “Best New Golf Course in the World” for The Els Club Teluk Datai in 2014. In 2016, it became the first layout in the Ernie Els Design portfolio to be listed in Golf Digest’s prestigious ‘World Top-100’.
ABOUT TROON
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 940-plus locations in 45-plus U.S. states and 40-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
For media inquiries and additional information, please contact:
Nurul Farahin Samsari
Marketing Executive – The Els Club Desaru Coast
Mobile: +6013 994 2210 / Email: farahin.samsari@elsclubmalaysia.com
