Professional golfer Ervin Chang is understandably overjoyed at having achieved his target sooner than expected when he finished 10th in the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit, earning himself full playing rights on the 2024 Asian Tour.

Ervin had given himself four years to make the grade since turning pro after the Hanoi Sea Games in the middle of last year. Last week he teed up at the ADT’s season-ending Aramco Saudi Invitational and finished a commendable solo third, after leading the first three days. The top 10 on the ADT OOM gain automatic entry to the Asian Tour.

It has indeed been an incredible short journey for the 25-year-old Seri Kembangan lad who has fulfilled his ambition of getting to play on the Asian Tour “full time”, two and a half years ahead of schedule.

But Ervin would not have turned professional and be where he is today, if not for the gold medal performances in Hanoi last year. He revealed that just a day before the golf competition began, he had texted his father explaining that he felt he should return to the United States to look for a job in the golf industry.

Recounting his situation before the Sea Games, Ervin said he hadn’t played in a tournament in the four months prior to Hanoi and thus wasn’t in the right frame of mind. “Having worked in golf club operations in the US I felt I should return there after the Sea Games as I wasn’t confident of a good performance,” recalled Ervin over lunch at the golfer’s terrace, Saujana Golf & Country Club recently.

All that changed when Ervin created history by becoming the first Malaysian to win an individual gold in golf. He went on to add the team gold as well.

Things began to progress quickly for Ervin. His style, performances and mannerisms won over the Asian Tour who then presented him with the Kyi Hla Han Future Champions award in January this year. He was its first recipient. “It was quite an honour and I never expected it,” said Ervin. The award enabled him to play six events on the Asian Tour.

Then in early May in the Toyota Tour’s stop in Kuching, Ervin secured his first professional win when he grabbed the Mirai Cup by a sensational six strokes at the Sarawak Golf Club. In July at the Mines Resort Golf Club, he putted his way into contention in the Supra Cup but lost in a two-way playoff. It was crystal clear that Ervin had his sights for more success.

Ervin (fourth from left) with other pros who gained their Asian Tour cards following the Aramco Saudi Invitational.

Ervin’s immediate goal is to perform well enough on the 2024 Asian Tour to keep his card for the following year. Winning a tournament would perhaps be the ideal target, but Ervin is taking a realistic approach when he walks onto Asia’s biggest golf stage.

“I realise there is a big difference in standards between the ADT, the Asian Tour and the International Series. However, I enjoy competing at higher levels and that is what I’m looking forward to on Tour. I tend to get comfortable in uncomfortable situations.

“The Toyota Tour has been great not just for me but for Malaysian pros and amateurs. I’ll never forget my first professional win at the Mirai Cup. The Toyota Tour is set up very professionally and it offers us an exciting platform to compete against one another and to advance to the next levels.”

But what motivates Ervin to compete? “The camaraderie I feel with other players when I'm on a golf course makes me excited to come to work every day,” said Ervin. “I'm really passionate about helping players improve their game, especially when others have

helped me at the beginning, like Danny Chia and the late Arie Irawan.
“In fact I still spend time on the course with Danny who I look to as an older brother. He may be over 50 but he’s still playing good golf. Impressive stuff!”

Ervin’s entry into the golf world began when his father brought him to the driving range. He was six at that time. “Dad was just starting to play, but I was hooked.”

The beginning of a career is always tough and for Ervin it was no different. “But I’ve been very fortunate and blessed that there were quite a number of people – players and coaches who helped me as I progressed from my junior days.”

Ervin rattled off names like Lim Siew Ai, Chong Chee Ming, Steven Guiliano, Shane Gillespie, Travis Fulton, Tony Maloney, Stewart Ginn and Dean Hartman as the coaches who helped develop his swing. “Stewart actually helped me with my mental conditioning during the four rounds in the Aramco Saudi event last week. He wasn’t there but we exchanged texts every day. He helped me stay calm, stay relaxed, especially after the third round when I was leading.”

Ervin recalled the moment when he made the final putt at the Rolling Hills course. He had about three feet from the cup and looking at a left-to-right break. Ervin had the night before calculated that a top three finish would earn him an Asian Tour card. Getting that little white ball into the cup would guarantee him third placing. That’s when he felt his hands shaking a little.

“Just then there was some noise due to someone testing the microphone in preparation for the awards presentation. It forced me to step back and regroup. I tried to make a good putt and saw the ball lip around on the low side and it dropped in. It was sheer relief for me and I yelled out quite a bit!’”

Ervin is grateful to his parents for their support. They helped send him to college in Virginia, USA where he enrolled at the Liberty University. He managed to get into the college team in his second year and that earned him a full scholarship in the remaining two years.

“Education is very important for all athletes and I would urge junior golfers to further their studies, whether or not they intend to turn professional. I have to thank Ung Su Ling for helping me get to Liberty University where I gained my Master’s degree in Player Development/Athletics Management.”

A typical day in the life of Ervin when he’s not in a tournament begins at 5.45 when he wakes up. He leaves home at 6.15 in order to beat the jams and heads to either Royal Selangor Golf Club or Saujana GCC. He spends two to four hours putting before taking a break. Then its chipping and pitching followed by hitting balls at the range. The day ends at 4.30 for him and some days it might include a round of golf.

When playing a round he usually teams up with Danny, Khor Kheng Hwai and Justin Chin.

Ervin’s favourite golfer is Jason Day and the player he enjoys watching is Cameron Smith. His favourite courses in Malaysia are RSGC and Saujana of which he is also a club ambassador. Outside Malaysia his favourite course is TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Verda, Florida – home of The Players Championship.

While Ervin is pretty happy with the recent turn of events, he’s not lowering his guard.

“This new chapter, playing on the Asian Tour is not going to be easy. Golf is going to be even more challenging for me. Sometimes it’s not about making the best putt or hitting the longest drive. It’s really about making every shot count.”