A Bomber Waits For His Day

Long-hitting Alex Tiong eyes top-five target on the PGM Tour.

- Roger Rodrigo

Turning pro is an important chapter in any competitive golfer’s life. It means that a sport now becomes a livelihood or rather, the golf course now becomes the office.

So when it came down to making a decision on what direction the rest of his life would take, former national amateur Alex Tiong took no chances and consulted a few people.

“My dad didn’t really like the idea at first. When I came back from the United States in February 2015, I was in two minds whether to stay amateur or turn pro. I spoke to my former coach Tony Maloney who said it was better I turned pro,” he related.

“Moreover all my friends had already turned pro and they were telling me to give it a shot. So, I did. I played in the qualifying school for the PGM Tour in Johor and turned pro in April.”

He made his debut at Danau Golf Club, playing in 15 tournaments on the PGM circuit and ending up in the top 40 of the Order of Merit. In 2016 he played in the early legs before taking a seven-month break to sort out personal issues before returning to play in the last few months.

The Sibu-born golfer is serious about his goals and wants to finish better in 2017. “I am aiming to place among the top-five or top 10 in tournaments,” he said. “Currently I’m scouting around for a regular coach who I can consult on regularly. I have tried Tony, Nellan and Toshi (in Sabah) but I’m still looking out for one.”