THE comeback was almost complete.

Trailing by 3-5 after the opening day of the SGA-MGA annual match, Singapore's amateur golfers took over the lead after winning the first four of yesterday's eight singles matches.

But the Malaysians fought back by winning the last three matches to clinch a narrow 81/2-71/2 victory.

Singapore's Johnson Poh got the ball rolling by beating Haziq Hamizan 2 and 1 in the first match at Seletar Country Club.

Lion Goh then made it all square at 5-5 with a similar 2 and 1 victory over Akmal Tarmizi.

Singapore took over the lead for the first time when Jonathan Leong outclassed Mohd Amli 4 and 3.

With the momentum firmly in Singapore's favour, Lam Zhi Qun extended the lead to 7-5 with a 5 and 4 victory over Alex Tiong.

Quincy Quek earned half a point after squaring his match with Helmi Abdul Rahman.

With three matches left, Singapore held a 71/2-51/2 advantage over the Malaysians and were in good position to retain the title they won last year in Malaysia.

Yet, it was not to be, as Goh Kun Yang, Tay Kai Wen and Timothy Low all lost their matches to hand victory to the Malaysians.

Goh was outplayed 5 and 4 by Andy Gan, while Tay fell to Kenneth De Silva 3 and 2.

The Malaysians had the last laugh as Edmund Au edged out Low 2-up for the winning point.

- LIM HAN MING