06/07/2025
James Lai’s 1041-Rated Masterclass Headlines Historic Johor Open 2025
PDGA Sanctioned · C-Tier
The inaugural PDGA-sanctioned Johor Open Disc Golf 2025 concluded with fireworks in the MPO division as James Lai delivered a truly unforgettable performance , highlighted by a final round rated 1041, the highest ever recorded on Malaysian soil.
Playing across two of Johor’s finest disc golf venues , the well-established Pelangi Indah Disc Golf Course (PiDG) and the up-and-coming GMK Disc Golf Course — the 3-round, 2-day tournament marked a major step forward for competitive disc golf in Malaysia.
After two solid rounds (61, 58), James Lai exploded in the final round at GMK Disc Golf course with a flawless, aggressive 45 , a performance rated at 1041 by the PDGA, and a 3 rounds total under par of -22 setting a national benchmark for competitive excellence. The round featured pinpoint drives, fearless putting, and strategic course control rarely seen in Malaysia. His 13 under par in the final is a new GMK Course record.
🇲🇾 Malaysia’s “Top Four” Unite – A First in PDGA History
For the first time ever, all of Malaysia’s “Top Four” MPO players ,James Lai, Redha Fahmi, Sean Raj, and Jean Poignee, competed together in the same PDGA-sanctioned tournament on home soil, a long-anticipated showdown finally realized at Johor Open 2025.
• Redha Fahmi Radzuan returned to PDGA play after a 5-year hiatus and quickly reminded everyone of his class, tying for second with Jean-Daniel and Wesley.
• Sean Raj remained consistently sharp, missing the podium by just one stroke.
• Jean Poignee, the field’s highest-rated player, was edged out in the final round but played strong throughout.
This win comes hot on the heels of James Lai recent gold medal at the World Masters Games 2025 in Taipei, reinforcing his status as Malaysia’s top MPO player. He finished in the podiums at the Singapore Slings 2025 .
His rise to form began with a breakthrough international win at the Chiang Mai Godfather Tournament in 2022, making this latest triumph a powerful full-circle moment.
Division Winners – Johor Open 2025 (PDGA Sanctioned)
• MPO (Mixed Pro Open):
• 🥇 James Lai 🇲🇾
• 🥈 Jean-Daniel Brabant 🇫🇷
• 🥈 Redha Fahmi 🇲🇾
• 🥈 Wesley de Ridder 🇳🇱
• FPO (Women's Pro Open):
• 🥇 Lily Resang 🇲🇾
• 🥈 Rosalie Pili 🇵🇭
• 🥉 Lyra Belga 🇵🇭
• MA1 (Mixed Amateur 1):
• 🥇 Chuan Sang Lai 🇲🇾
• 🥈 Mohd Faize 🇲🇾
• 🥉 Chew Yeen Phang 🇲🇾
• MA2 (Mixed Amateur 2):
• 🥇 Vijay Ranganathan 🇸🇬
• 🥈 Tyn Long Tay 🇸🇬
• 🥉 Jan Kandziora 🇩🇪
• MA50 (Mixed Amateur 50+):
• 🥇 David Trovell 🇦🇺
• 🥇 Kee Ken Foo 🇲🇾
• 🥈 Chin Yong Chia 🇲🇾
• FA1 (Women's Amateur 1):
• 🥇 Olivia Tan 🇲🇾
• ACE POT Winner
• Goh Kee Boon 🇲🇾
🇲🇾 Rising Stars of Malaysia Disc Golf:
Keep an eye on Bryan Tan and Olivia Tan — the talented brother-sister duo are quickly becoming the most promising and exciting prospects in the Malaysian disc golf scene. The future is bright!
Conclusion
The Johor Open 2025 will be remembered not just for crowning a deserving champion, but for bringing together Malaysia’s best, witnessing a record-breaking 1041-rated round, and marking the return of long-absent stars like Redha Fahmi.
Disc golf in Malaysia has officially entered a new era.
🇲🇾 MALAYSIA BOLEH!!
