Jonathan Selvaraj (UAE) showcased his skills earlier this year at Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman. - Supplied photo

Jonathan Selvaraj has pledged to elevate his performance on the final day after guiding the UAE team at the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s (APGC) Nomura Cup in Hai Phong, Vietnam. He delivered a strong performance in the third round, shooting a commendable level-par 72. His scores of 70, 79, and 72 result in a 54-hole total of five-over-par 222, placing him tied for 17th place in the Individual Division at Vinpearl Golf Hai Phong.

“After yesterday’s challenging round, today brought some relief,” Selvaraj, 21, shared with Khaleej Times. “My ball striking was solid, and I created numerous birdie opportunities but couldn’t capitalize on them. Tomorrow, in the final round, my goal is to move up the leaderboard as much as possible.”

Sam Mullane, the second player for Team UAE, posted a solid round of 73 today. Ahmad Skaik, the third member of the UAE team, recorded a non-counting score of 75.

The Nomura Cup, also known as the APGC Team Championship, is a biennial amateur team event for men. In the Team Division, the UAE is currently tied for 12th place with Chinese Taipei at 10-over-par, with one round remaining in the tournament’s best two-out-of-three scoring format. Saudi Arabia is in 17th place. Vietnam, the host nation, leads the event at 12-under-par, just one stroke ahead of Japan, while New Zealand holds third place, with eight teams at par or better.

In the individual event, local player Nguyen Anh Minh tops the leaderboard, after rounds of 71, 67, 71, putting him at seven under par – one shot ahead of 17-year-old New Zealand player, Robby Turnbull. This year’s Nomura Cup is being played at the Ninperal Golf Hai Phong – Marsh Course. Known for its challenging natural marshy terrain, the course measures 7,508 yards and is a par 72.

The competing countries include Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong - China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, and host Vietnam. For LIVE Scoring, visit: Sgolf Live score giải đấu

Team Scores after 54-holes (Best two from the Team of three on each day): Vietnam 143, 137, 140, 420; Japan 143, 135, 143, 421; New Zealand 143, 137, 145, 425.

Individual Division: Anh Minh (Vietnam) 71, 67, 71, 209; Turnbull (NZ) 73, 67, 70, 210; O’Donovan (NZ) 69, 71, 72, 212.