KUALA LUMPUR: Shariffuddin Ariffin’s name might not be well known on the local golfing arena but the talented 19-year-old golfer has big dreams of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
In fact Shariffuddin is not daunted in setting such a high target of making the cut for the Maybank Championship which will take place at the Saujana Golf & Country Club from March 21st onwards even though he will be making his debut on such a prestigious stage.
Shahriffuddin is among 13 local golfers who will be taking part in the prestigious championship, led by national golfing sensation Gavin Kyle Green.
The Championship offers overall prize money of US$3 million (RM12.4 million) will also see 60 of the very best golfers from the European and Asian Tours as well as 15 players from the World’s top 150.
"I am hoping to feature and be able to bring my best game to the championship so that I can make the cut even though will be my first foray.
"I can’t deny that I am feeling somewhat nervous in having to play with some of the best players in the world today but as a player myself, I must be confident in my own abilities and strengths, which is why I set myself such a target in the first place.
"Usually I will recite a prayer before I begin competing to calm my nervous so that I can play as best I can,” he said when met yesterday (Thursday) during the introduction ceremony for the 13 local players that will be flying the Malaysian flag in the championship which has received acknowledgement and recognition from both the European and Asian Tours.
Shariffuddin became a professional in 2014, and four years on, he said that there will be more international championships that he is looking forward to which are part of serious efforts to fulfill his dream of playing for the country at the Olympics.
"Yes this is one of my dreams and aspirations. If I remain focused and work hard smartly, it is not impossible for me to realise my dreams,” he stressed.
Speaking further on how he developed a keen interest in golf, Shariffuddin, who won the Professional Golfers Association of Malaysia (PGM) tour for two consecutive years, said that he credits his father Ariffin Omar for developing his interest and skills in the sport.
"Last time my father was a caddy on the greens and I started dabbling in the sport when I was just 5-years-old. And now I am on the verge of playing on the greens as a budding professional golfer who is very proud and honoured to represent the country on such a big stage,” said Shariffuddin.
