Malaysia’s top golfer, Gavin Green, leads a formidable local contingent against Asian Development Tour (ADT) stars as the Toyota Tour Championship tees off tomorrow at the award-winning Kota Permai Golf & Country Club.
Green, who recently secured his DP World Tour card for 2025, has had a consistent season with six top-15 finishes, placing him 73rd on the final Order of Merit. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy clinched the DP World Tour title after winning the season finale in Dubai on Sunday.
“The season has been consistent, but I would have liked to have made it to Dubai,” said Green. “Just not enough high finishes, unfortunately, but the game has been consistent, and I’m just waiting patiently for it to click. I’ve done lots of work on the swing and game. Hopefully, it’ll pay off soon.”
Turning 31 next month, Green is eager to compete on home soil in the Toyota Tour Championship.
“Like always, I don’t get many chances back home. So, this will be great! I enjoy the course—it’s not easy, but it’s at home. I get to be with the family and stay in my bed. That’s a huge plus, as well as playing in front of a home crowd! It’s been a long time since I’ve played an event here. The course is in great shape as always, and the field will be strong.”
Joining Green in the local lineup is Toyota Tour Order of Merit (OOM) leader Ervin Chang, who also topped the standings in 2023, along with second-ranked Paul San and Green’s younger brother, Galven, currently ranked third. With a prize purse of RM400,000 on offer, the tournament provides a critical opportunity for the 67 international participants to boost their ADT rankings.
For players like Galven Green (20th in the OOM) and Marcus Lim (22nd), an outright win this week could propel them into the coveted top 10—at least temporarily. The ADT Top 10 after next week’s season-ending Aramco Invitational in Saudi Arabia will earn playing rights on the 2025 Asian Tour.
This year’s Toyota Tour has highlighted emerging talents, including Nasrullah Zulkifli, Fakhrul Akhmal, Afif Fathi, Edven Ying, Daeng Rahman, Casper Loh, Syahiran Syakir, and Zia Izzuddeen, who will aim to make their mark at Kota Permai. Veteran Danny Chia, who triumphed at The Mines during the penultimate Toyota Tour event (the Yaris Cup) two weeks ago, is another strong contender with deep familiarity with the venue.
The international field is headlined by ADT OOM leader Rahil Ganjee, who has two wins this season, including the Selangor Masters. He is joined by second-ranked Ahmad Baig of Pakistan and Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool, both seeking strong finishes to solidify their standings.
Ahead of the championship, a Toyota Tour junior clinic brought together 35 children at the Kota Permai driving range on Sunday. The 90-minute session was led by MST Golf Chief Instructor Chris Marrs, supported by professionals Nasrullah Zulkifli, Afif Fathi, Casper Loh, and Zia Izzuddeen, offering a fun and educational experience for the young participants.
